Dodgers' McCarthy out for season with torn UCL

Brandon McCarthy's first year in Los Angeles lasted all but four starts.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Monday that McCarthy will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Mattingly declined to say whether McCarthy requires Tommy John surgery, which would likely sideline him until the middle of next season.

McCarthy, 31, parlayed a career year in 2014 into a four-year, $48-million contract with the Dodgers this past winter. He set personal highs last season in starts (32), innings (200) and strikeouts (175), while splitting his time between the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks. 

He was 3-0 with a 5.87 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 23 innings to begin this season.

The veteran right-hander, who's known for his keen sense of humor on Twitter, took a comedic approach to Monday's unfortunate news.

"To be fair," he tweeted, "31 years of use is a lot to ask for from a ligament."

McCarthy exited Saturday's outing against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning after allowing his third home run of the game. McCarthy, who motioned for team trainers after shaking his right arm, was initially diagnosed with elbow tightness. A subsequent MRI on Monday revealed the UCL tear.

McCarthy's season-ending injury is the latest blow to a Dodgers club recently snake-bitten by trips to the DL. Closer Kenley Jansen, temporary closer Joel Peralta, outfielder Yasiel Puig and starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu are among the key Dodgers players currently sidelined due to injuries.