Braves' Venters has second Tommy John surgery
Atlanta Braves reliever Jonny Venters had a second ligament transplant on his left elbow Thursday, and will miss the rest of the 2013 season, and possibly all of 2014.
Venters visited Dr. James Andrews on Thursday morning. The 28-year-old had hoped to avoid surgery after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow April 2 and resting for four weeks. He was initially encouraged playing catch off flat ground two weeks ago, but the soreness returned when he began throwing off a mound.
Venters also had surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament while in the minors, and it cost him the 2006 season.
About 10 to 25 percent of pitchers make it back from a second Tommy John surgery, though some who have include Doug Brocail, Al Reyes and Jason Isringhausen, who actually had the surgery three times.
Venters has a 2.23 ERA in 229 2/3 career innings over three seasons. He led the National League with 85 appearances in 2011.
