Braves' Reliever Cory Gearrin To Have Tommy John Surgery

ATLANTA -- After hearing three similar opinions regarding a partially torn ligament in his right elbow, Braves reliever Cory Gearrin has resigned himself to having to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Now headed toward a lengthy recovery process, Gearrin is glad he was thorough.

Gearrin met with Atlanta team orthopedist Dr. Xavier Duralde, Dr. James Andrews and Mets team orthopedist Dr. David Altchek. Although each visit carried some expectation of hope, Gearrin said he "kind of knew early on" that he would need surgery.

The sidearmer said the MRI showed the tear was just a "one-pitch thing," and the sudden nature of the injury caught him off guard.

"I had never had any elbow issues in the past," Gearrin said. "For it to kind of happen like that is definitely surprising, but that's the way it happens sometimes."

Gearrin, who will turn 28 on Monday, has not decided who will perform his surgery or where he will undergo rehab, but he hopes to end up in Atlanta.