Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Rays' Andrew Kittredge to undergo Tommy John Surgery

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jun 10, 2022 11:37 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Rays could be without All-Star closer Andrew Kittredge until the second half of the 2023 season.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Kittredge will undergo Tommy John surgery putting him out of action for the foreseeable future. With recovery times for Tommy John surgery ranging from 12-to-15 months, in the best-case scenario, Kittredge could return to the Rays by next July.

BREAKING: #Rays RH Andrew Kittredge to have Tommy John elbow surgery
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 10, 2022

The news that Kittredge needs Tommy John surgery is a significant blow for the pitcher and the team. After being placed on the injured list on Thursday, Kittredge was seemingly headed for surgery on his elbow to remove loose bodies, which comes with around a month of recovery time. However, imaging on Kittredge's right elbow showed more damage.

#Rays Kittredge was initially headed for arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove a loose body but imaging showed the need for the more complicated procedure. With no setbacks, should be able to return second half of 2023 https://t.co/UasQi5FJw2
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 10, 2022

Kittredge went 3-1 with five saves and a 3.15 ERA in 17 games for the Rays this season.

The 32-year-old made his first all-star appearance in 2021, going 9-3 with eight saves and a 1.88 ERA in 57 games.

The injury to Kittredge is another blow to the Rays' bullpen, who are already without several pieces, including JT Chargois, J.P. Feyereisen, Chris Mazza, Nick Anderson, Peter Fairbanks, and Colby White.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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