MIAMI _ Braxton Garrett, the Miami Marlins' top prospect, will miss the rest of 2017 and likely all of 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery Tuesday, a source told the Sun Sentinel.
Garrett, a 19-year-old left-hander and the club's top pick in the 2016 draft, was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow earlier this month and visited with Dr. James Andrews this week for a second opinion.
The parties agreed that Andrews, famous for his Tommy John clients, would perform the reconstructive surgery on the UCL.
Magnitude of injury aside, this is also a tough break for Garrett and the Marlins' shallow farm system from a timing perspective. Tommy John surgery typically keeps pitchers out for more than 12 months, and one source indicated a best-case scenario for Garrett would be pitching in the instructional league in the fall of 2018.
In the spring of 2019, when Garrett likely next takes the mound in an actual game, he will be almost three years removed from signing for a $4.145 bonus with just four professional appearances on his resume.
Right-hander Tyler Kolek, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft, had Tommy John surgery in April 2016. He has not pitched yet, but is expected to do so this month, more than 14 months after going under the knife.
Garrett pitched for Low-A Greensboro this year, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in four starts. He had one bad game, his last one, when he allowed four runs in 12/3 innings before being shelved with elbow discomfort.
