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Athletics' Cotton to have Tommy John surgery

Peter Aiken / Reuters

Jharel Cotton's 2018 season has ended before it even began.

Just days after he was diagnosed with a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament and strained flexor muscle, the Oakland Athletics announced the right-hander will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The 26-year-old tossed four no-hit innings in his last spring start one week ago, but left that outing after experiencing elbow discomfort and returned to Oakland for an MRI. Though Cotton was apparently seeking a second opinion after the diagnosis, he's electing to have the surgery instead.

In the wake of losing Cotton for the season, Athletics manager Bob Melvin said they may look for his replacement outside the organization if any of the remaining free-agent starters' prices have dropped, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Last season was Cotton's first full season in the majors. In 24 starts, the U.S. Virgin Islands native posted a 5.58 ERA and 1.442 WHIP with 105 strikeouts. He showed great improvement over the season, though, putting up a 3.94 ERA and 1.348 WHIP during 11 second-half starts compared to 6.98 and 1.522 in the first half.

Cotton, who the A's acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Josh Reddick at the 2016 trade deadline, had been considered a candidate for the rotation.

Cotton is the third young pitcher to require Tommy John surgery this spring, joining Tampa Bay Rays prospects Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon.

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