Cubs reliever Codi Heuer underwent Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, suffering the injury during an independent workout not supervised by the team.
It appeared he underwent the surgery this week, having posted a photo to his Instagram Tuesday showing him in a hospital bed, apparently post-op, with a brace protecting his right elbow.
A source close to Heuer confirmed that it was Tommy John surgery.
With MLB's lockout in place, Cubs officials are not allowed to have contact with their major league players or comment on them. The lockout rules also mean players are forced to train independently, which has been a concern of trainers and coaches in the game as the lockout reached the part of the offseason that pitchers traditionally start to throw again.
Players also are not allowed to use team facilities during the lockout.
It's unclear when the injury occurred. As recently as Jan. 18, Heuer retweeted a video of him long-tossing in preparation for the season.
Heuer, who was acquired from the White Sox in the Craig Kimbrel trade last July, finished the season healthy and talked about a having a big role in the Cubs bullpen in 2022.
“Hopefully I'll have a little bit of a leadership role and do big things in that bullpen," the hard-throwing Heuer told NBC Sports Chicago's Tim Stebbins in September.
MLB
Regardless of when a 2022 season might start, the timing of the injury would be expected to keep Heuer out for the season, a big blow to any plans the Cubs might have of competing.
Contributing: Tim Stebbins
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