SAN DIEGO — Highly regarded Phillies pitching prospect Kevin Gowdy had ligament reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery on his right elbow Tuesday, the team said.
Gowdy, 19, was rated as the top high school pitcher in California in 2016 and passed on attending UCLA when the Phillies selected him in the second round (42nd overall) of the draft and gave him a $3.5 million signing bonus.
Gowdy made four starts in the Gulf Coast League after signing last summer. He spent this season in extended spring training and had not been assigned to a minor-league club after dealing with biceps tendinitis.
Tommy John surgery typically requires at least a year of recovery time, so Gowdy will be slowed again next season. The success rate of the surgery is typically high.