TORONTO -- Reliever Gary Lavelle of the Toronto Blue Jays will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his pitching elbow, the team announced Tuesday.
Lavelle, 36, underwent what was supposed to be exploratory surgery at a Los Angeles hospital for a suspected muscle fiber tear in the elbow, but the procedure revealed a torn ligament.
Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed the operation, transplanted a tendon from Lavelle's calf to replace the damaged ligament. Jobe performed a similar procedure on former California Angel and New York Yankee Tommy John, enabling the left-hander to resume pitching after what was thought to be a career-threatening injury.
Lavelle, who was on the 60-day emergency disabled list prior to the operation, was plagued by elbow problems throughout last season. The veteran of 11 seasons -- 10 with the San Francisco Giants -- was able to face only one batter in the American League playoffs last year.