D-backs’ Rubby De La Rosa to undergo second Tommy John surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Rubby De La Rosa is about to join an exclusive club, yet one nobody wants to be a member of.

Manager Torey Lovullo made the announcement prior to Thursday’s game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Torey Lovullo announces Rubby De La Rosa will undergo his second Tommy John surgery. His first was in 2011.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 17, 2017

De La Rosa hasn’t pitched for the D-backs since working an inning out of the bullpen in a 16-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 1. On the season, he has split time between Arizona and the minors, where he has pitched at Triple-A Reno, Single-A Visalia and one game in the Arizona Rookie League.

With the Diamondbacks, he posted an 0-1 record and a 4.70 ERA in nine relief appearances. His most extensive work came in Reno, where he went 1-2 with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 19 appearances covering 20.1 innings.

De La Rosa missed nearly three weeks with right shoulder inflammation in July.

The Dominican native had Tommy John surgery in August of 2011 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Incidentally, he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament delivering a pitch to Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks in July 31 game that year.

Last season, De La Rosa underwent stem cell therapy to deal with elbow discomfort. It was seen as a last resort before opting for another surgery.

De La Rosa lands on the dubious list of pitchers who have had two or more Tommy John surgeries, joining Pittsburgh reliever and former D-back Daniel Hudson and former Miami and Toronto hurler Josh Johnson, who had the procedure done three times.

Current Arizona pitcher Shelby Miller had the surgery in May.

The expected recovery time for a pitcher who undergoes the surgery is one year.

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