Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland, a two-time All-Star, will undergo Tommy John surgery Friday, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.
The operation surgery usually requires 12 to 14 months of rehabilitation, so Holland is likely to miss the entire 2016 season.
Holland is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility. He earned $8.25 million in 2015.
According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals believe Holland sustained the injury in September 2014. At that point, the right-hander chose to pitch rather than have surgery, and he had an 0.82 ERA in the postseason.
This season, Holland’s velocity slipped and he lost command of other pitches.
Holland recorded 32 saves this season, but his ERA rose to 3.83. He finished last season with a 1.44 ERA, and his ERA in 2013 was 1.21.
An MRI in late August revealed a torn ligament, but Holland told Royals officials he felt good enough to pitch.
In mid-September, Holland was replaced by Wade Davis as the team’s closer. Holland was shut down for the season last Thursday, when he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.