Astros' Brady Rodgers undergoes season-ending elbow surgery

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Righthander Brady Rodgers, who represented starting pitching depth in Class AAA for the Astros, was lost for the season and probably at least half of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Tuesday morning in New York.

Rodgers, a 26-year-old Richmond native and former third-round draft pick, faces a long road ahead.

Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament - better known as Tommy John surgery - typically comes with a 12-to-18 month recovery timetable. Renowned orthopedist David Altchek, who Rodgers visited Monday for a second opinion, performed the operation.

The injury leaves the Astros without a healthy starter in Class AAA who is already on their 40-man roster, though they do have three 40-man spots to play with if they want to add a pitcher. Long reliever Brad Peacock is most likely next in line to start if the Astros, already down Collin McHugh (elbow impingement), encounter another injury in their rotation.

"I think we feel like we've got a couple options already here that could start if needed, so there's not a strong sense of urgency to do something right away," general manager Jeff Luhnow said.

Chris Devenski and Michael Feliz also fit that category, though the Astros clearly feel both provide more value to the team in their versatile bullpen roles. Top prospect Francis Martes has struggled with command early in his first exposure to Class AAA and David Paulino is still working his way back to the Class AAA rotation after suffering a bone bruise in his elbow in the middle of spring training.

Paulino is "well on his way to being back," Luhnow said on Tuesday. The 23-year-old righthander pitched two innings in an extended spring training game in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday.

Astros' Brady Rodgers in spring training. Astros' Brady Rodgers in spring training. Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Astros' Brady Rodgers undergoes season-ending elbow surgery 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Luhnow said Paulino will pitch again in Florida before the team considers sending him to an affiliate to continue building up his arm for Class AAA.

"But he's feeling good and the stuff looks crisp, so I think it's just a matter of a few more outings before we activate him," Luhnow said.

With Rodgers out and Paulino not yet back, the Astros' Class AAA starting staff currently consists of Martes, Mike Hauschild, Brian Holmes, Edison Frias, Trent Thornton and David Martinez. The team also on Monday selected the contract of Casey Coleman, who has starting experience, from the Atlantic League's New Britain Bees. He will be added to Class AAA.

Hauschild could work his way into a 40-man roster spot. The Astros are still building his arm up after receiving the Rule 5 pick back from the Rangers, who used him in relief. He threw 55 pitches over three innings Sunday in his first outing back with the Fresno affiliate, where he spent last season.

"He was a guy that was being considered for a call-up in September of last year," Luhnow said. "We didn't put him on the roster knowing there was a chance that we'd lose him in the Rule 5, but I'm glad we got him back. He's a guy we think has an opportunity to help us this year."

Rodgers' injury seemingly came out of nowhere. After he was hit hard in spring training, the reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year began the Class AAA season with consecutive starts of six innings in which he allowed only one run. Luhnow said he was "on the short list" of pitchers to promote if the Astros needed an arm.

Then Rodgers exited an April 19 start after 4 1/3 scoreless innings complaining of an arm issue. The Astros flew him back to Houston, where team doctors diagnosed a UCL tear and recommended Tommy John surgery. Altchek confirmed the diagnosis.

The Astros currently have two open spots on their 40-man roster. If they need another at any point this season, they could transfer Rodgers to the 60-day disabled list to create a spot.

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