It is being widely report this morning that hard-throwing Dodgers reliever Chris Withrow has a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow and will require Tommy John surgery.

During last night’s post-game interview, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly eluded to the fact that Withrow had suffered an injury but would not reveal what it was. It didn’t take rocket science for reporters to figure out that the injury was most likely a torn UCL – a frequent (and becoming more so) injury for hard throwers.

Withrow made his MLB debut on June 12, 2013 and promptly struck out Dbacks centerfielder A.J. Pollock.
(Ron Cervenka – ThinkBlueLA.com)

Withrow, who was optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque on May 21 to make room on the Dodgers 25-man roster for Clayton Kershaw who himself was returning from the DL for inflammation of the teres major, led all Dodger relievers with 18 walks thus far this season and frequently pitched himself into and out of trouble while constantly flirting with danger. His luck finally ran out on May 17 against the Diamondbacks in Arizona when he allowed five earned runs, two of which were the result of walks.

Withrow underwent an MRI on May 23 which confirmed that he had a torn UCL and was immediately placed on the major league disabled list since he had not yet appeared in any games with the Isotopes.

Although Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache has recommended that Withrow undergo Tommy John surgery as soon as possible, the 24-year-old Austin, TX native wants to seek a second opinion before committing to the surgery.

There has been no official word from the Dodgers yet on Withrow’s injury or his likely pending surgery.