Angels' Middleton to undergo Tommy John surgery
Breakout closer Keynan Middleton will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow, leaving the Los Angeles Angels without him until at least 2019.
After initial diagnosis of the injury, and a second opinion, the team announced Thursday that Tommy John is the recommended path.
A specific date for the procedure has not been set.
Middleton won the closer's job over Blake Parker and Cam Bedrosian. He mostly excelled before hitting the disabled list in late April with an elbow issue. After being activated, he appeared in three games before exiting the Angels' contest against the Minnesota Twins on May 13 with elbow soreness.
His 2018 season will end with six saves, two holds, a 2.04 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings.
Middleton is the second Angels reliever to be lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery after JC Ramirez went under the knife in late April.