Right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly may have to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.
On Tuesday Kelly had tests done on his elbow, which has been sore for several weeks.
According to Padres.com he had the X-rays done in San Diego by team doctors.
Kelly came into camp hoping to earn a spot in the rotation, not one of the guarantees but a youngster with a definite shot. He wanted to increase his workload from last season’s light 66 2/3 innings between the Minors and Majors.
He began 2012 in Triple-A Tucson then missed five months with a right elbow strain. Kelly made his major league debut as a pitcher in August when he pitched six shutout innings against the Braves.
Kelly came to the Padres as a part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade to the Red Sox in 2010 along with Anthony Rizzo. He started out as a shortstop for Boston and then was converted to a pitcher during his time with them.
But for the 23-year old hoping to make a bigger splash this season on the mound, the tests don’t look good.
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“The doctors are concerned about what the tests look like,” said manager Bud Black. “It’s the part of the elbow we’re definitely concerned about.”
Two teammates- Corey Leubke and Joe Wieland, had Tommy John surgery last season.
"There's going to be a lot of discussion between Casey and Casey's family," Black said. "I assume they'll want a second opinion. We want to make sure the right course of action will occur."
