Twins RHP Neshek to undergo "Tommy John" surgery

Nov 11, 2008 - 11:34 PM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Minnesota Twins righthanded reliever Pat Neshek will undergo "Tommy John" surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2009 season, the team announced Tuesday.

No date has been set for the surgery for Neshek, re-injured his right elbow during a throwing session in last week in Florida.

Neshek underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday which revealed a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.

The injury limited Neshek to just 15 appearances in 2008, in which he went 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA. He went on the disabled list on May 10 with an acute partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and did not return.

Neshek was outstanding in his first two seasons with the Twins. The 28-year-old righthander was 7-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 74 appearances in 2007, and finished 4-2 with a 2.19 ERA in 32 games in 2006. He held opponents to a batting average below .200 in both years.