Reds closer Guardado has elbow surgery

CINCINNATI, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Reds closer Eddie Guardado had reconstructive surgery Friday morning to repair ligament and tendon damage in his left elbow.

Guardado's rehabilitation from the two-hour surgery could take up to a year.

Guardado, 35, had converted eight of 10 save chances since coming over from Seattle in early July. The southpaw also had a 1.29 earned run average in 15 appearances with the Reds.

Guardado has a 41-55 career record with a 4.26 ERA. He has 183 saves in 781 appearances spanning 836 1/3 innings with Minnesota, Seattle and the Reds.