Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Bruce Rondon will miss the season with a torn ligament in his throwing elbow.
Rondon will have Tommy John surgery to repair the injury next week.
Rondon, a candidate to be the Tigers’ eighth-inning setup man, experienced discomfort Monday, a day after pitching a scoreless inning against the Washington Nationals in Grapefruit League action. He had a 1.29 ERA in seven spring training games this month.
General manager Dave Dombrowski said Friday that Dr. James Andrews examined Rondon on Wednesday and an MRI revealed the injury.
Rondon went 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA last year with 30 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Joba Chamberlain will fill Rondon’s spot, Dombrowski said.