Gavin Floyd Has Tommy John Surgery

By Benjy Lipsman in News on May 8, 2013 4:20PM

In a huge blow to the White Sox rotation, the team announced that Gavin Floyd underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to fix a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and a torn flexor muscle in his arm. The expected recovery time for this procedure is 14-19 months, meaning Floyd's 2013 campaign is over and he could possibly miss the 2014 season.

The Sox picked up Floyd's $9.5 million option for 2013, but he was 0-4 in five starts with a 5.18 ERA. Floyd left the White Sox April 27 game against Tampa Bay and was put on the disabled list with what was initially called an arm strain. Initial MRI results did not indicate a tear, but a second opinion revealed the damage and the need to surgically repair his arm.

A free agent at the end of the season, this may have been the last we see of Floyd in a White Sox uniform. Floyd joined the Sox in 2007 and has been a fixture in their starting rotation since 2008 when he won 17 games. He has compiled a 63-65 record and 4.22 ERA during his tenure with the South siders.

With Floyd done for the year, the White Sox rotation is further weakened. John Danks, who missed most of 2012, remains on the DL as he attempts to regain his velocity. Jake Peavy has missed his last of couple starts with back issues. While Chris Sale and Jose Quintana have made all their starts, the guys who competed to fill in as the fifth starter will both have a chance to audition — and the winner remains in the rotation. Hector Santiago will now join Dylan Axelrod in the rotation at least until Danks returns. Axelrod is 0-2 but sports a 3.60 ERA in six starts. Santiago has made two starts along with seven relief appearances, and is 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA. With both pitching well and the Sox currently mired in last place, we don't expect Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn to go searching for reinforcements from other clubs.