GOODYEAR, Ariz., March 24 (UPI) -- Newly acquired Cincinnati Reds closer Ryan Madson needs elbow surgery and will miss the entire 2012 season, the team announced Saturday.
The Reds signed the 31-year-old reliever to a one-year contract in January after he had spent his entire nine-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cincinnati had tapped Madson to be its closer, but the team revealed in a Twitter post a Friday examination turned up a torn ligament in his pitching elbow that will require reconstructive "Tommy John" surgery.
He had yet to appear in a spring training game due to what had been called minor elbow irritation.
Madson racked up 32 saves in 34 opportunities last season for Philadelphia, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.37 earned run average in 62 games.
Over his 491-game career, he has amassed a 47-30 record with a 3.59 ERA and 52 saves.
