Lakeland, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Detroit Tigers pitcher Bruce Rondon will undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2014 season.
Rondon, expected to work out of the bullpen this season in a setup role, hadn't pitched since last Sunday and visited Dr. James Andrews earlier this week.
The 23-year-old right-hander had surrendered just five hits and an earned run with seven strikeouts in seven innings this spring. He appeared in 30 games for the Tigers last season, his first in the majors, and struck out 30 over 28 2/3 innings while posting a record of 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA.
Detroit was hoping Rondon could take over the closer's role last year, but he struggled in the spring and began the season in Triple-A. He notched 14 saves in 16 opportunities for Toledo last year, pitching to a 1.52 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.