PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets reliever Juan Padilla will miss the season because of a right elbow injury.
"If I had my speed and control, I could've dealt with the pain a little bit, but the bottom line was that I'd lost it," the right-hander said Monday, a day before he was scheduled to have reconstructive "Tommy John" surgery in New York.
The 29-year-old pitcher was picked to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, but was held out of the competition after an MRI exam showed the elbow injury. Another medical evaluation confirmed he needed surgery.
He expects to begin rehab in about six weeks and hopes to be throwing by November.
Padilla allowed 24 hits in 36 1-3 appearances last season, going 3-1 with a 1.49 ERA.
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