SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres announced Tuesday that left-handed pitcher Robbie Erlin will undergo Tommy John surgery on his injured elbow.
Erlin was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left elbow strain on April 21, after he pitched in three games for the Padres, including two starts, and went 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA. An MRI showed a significant tear and that rest and rehabilitation would no longer be an option.
"He tried to pitch through it," Padres manager Andy Green said. "But he has to have the surgery."
Erlin faces about 14 months to heal.
After starting the season in Triple-A El Paso, Erlin was promoted when Tyson Ross went on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. Cesar Vargas has made two starts in place of Erlin and gone 0-0 with a 0.81 ERA.
