MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Top Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Kyle Gibson will have reconstructive elbow surgery next week, putting him out for the 2012 season.
Twins general manager Bill Smith said Thursday that Gibson finished the first phase of a rehabilitation program for his partly torn ulnar collateral ligament. Gibson and the Twins decided the best treatment for the injury is Tommy John surgery, a common but complex operation that typically requires at least a full year to recover.
Smith said the right-hander will have surgery next Wednesday in New York.
Gibson was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2009. He went 3-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 18 starts for Triple-A Rochester this season.
