Ricky Romero Underwent Elbow Surgery

July 18, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero (24) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIREBlue Jays fans around the world received what they hope was a plausible explanation for Ricky Romero‘s poor performance in 2012.

Romero was pitching hurt.

The left-handed former ace recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow. The minor procedure, performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum, was done to clean up the area around the elbow and will have a 4-6 week recovery time. Romero also had a platelet-rich plasma injections done to both knees, designed to help with the healing process from the quadriceps tendinitis that plagued him at the end of the season.

Romero struggled though 2012, posting a 5.77 ERA and 124/105 K/BB ratio over 181 innings. He finished with a record of 9-14 and at one point lost 13 consecutive decisions.

Romero should be ready by spring training and the Blue Jays are looking for him to bounce back next season.