ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves reliever Jonny Venters has undergone the second major elbow operation of his career and will miss the rest of the season.
The Braves say the left-hander had Tommy John surgery Thursday to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. The procedure was performed in Gulf Breeze, Fla., by Dr. James Andrews.
Andrews also performed the first Tommy John surgery on Venters when he was a minor leaguer in 2005.
Venters was one of Atlanta’s most effective relievers over the last three seasons, serving as a setup man to closer Craig Kimbrel.
But Venters began experiencing pain in spring training and was shut down at the beginning of the season after receiving an injection in what was described as a sprained left shoulder.
