Tommy John Tuesday: Mike Pelfrey To Have Surgery Today

Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey will undergo Tommy John surgery today on his right (pitching) elbow. Pelf suffered a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament during his start last week.


Pelfrey's injury will really change the landscape for Mets pitching. Chris Schwinden will start tomorrow, but he has been less than impressive in his 5 professional starts dating back to last year.


Last year's season-ending surgery victim, Chris Young, is expected to make his first start in Florida on Saturday for Class A Port St. Lucie, and should take Pelfrey's place in the rotation. Young pitched very well for the Mets in his four starts last season - before being injured. Young was 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA.




This injury could mark the end of Pelfrey's Mets career. The Mets paid Pelfrey $5,675,000 this winter for the 2012 season. Part of the reason for such an increase in salary ($1,750,000 raise) for Pelfrey who was coming off a horrid season (7-13 - 4.74 ERA) is his durability and innings pitched. Neither will happen this year. The Mets might very well non-tender Pelfrey this December, which would make Big Pelf a free agent.


I have never been a fan of Pelfrey and his idiosyncrasies, but it would be a shame for his Mets career to end like this. If he is non-tendered, Pelf, coming of TJ Surgery, might not make the money he is making this year for 2013 as a free agent.


Dr. James Andrews will perform Tommy John surgery on Pelfrey today, and rehabilitation should be about 12 months.


Sources: Baseball Reference, ESPN NY