Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday morning to replace a torn ligament in his throwing elbow, he said. He will miss the rest of the season.

“I feel fine,” he said. “Everything went as expected.”

Ottavino was scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Florida, for a final opinion about the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Andrews — the go-to surgeon for injured elbows among major-league pitchers — agreed with Rockies doctors and Ottavino had surgery done to replace the UCL ligament.

“He’s seen more elbows than anybody,” Ottavino said. “I plan on coming back next year as strong as I can.”

The normal recovery time for a pitcher having Tommy John surgery is anywhere from 12 to 18 months.

Ottavino, 29, was pitching in the best form of his career this season. He did not allow a run in 10 innings pitched, with 13 strikeouts and just two walks. So the Rockies moved Ottavino into the closer role, replacing the injured LaTroy Hawkins.

“I’ve already had a few conversations with Otto,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Wednesday.

“The initial news is always tough. What might be, what could be — that’s tough for a pitcher to hear,” Weiss said. “So he’s through the toughest part of it. But it could be a long road ahead. And he’s ready for that.”

John Axford, in his first season with the Rockies after signing a free-agent deal in the offseason, took over as Colorado’s closer in place of Ottavino. Rafael Betancourt will fill in for Axford when needed, Weiss said.

Ottavino joins a list of several Rockies pitchers who have undergone Tommy John surgery, including Jorge De La Rosa, Tyler Chatwood and Betancourt.

De La Rosa missed more than than a year in his recovery. And Betancourt returned this season at the age of 39 after his 2013 season was ended early with a torn elbow ligament. Chatwood is still recovering after undergoing surgery last July.

Troy Tulowitzki, who last year suffered a season-ending injury, said:

“I’ve been there before. I wish him the best. I’ll be here for him to talk to me if he has any questions.”

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke