Pirates starter JT Brubaker has Tommy John surgery on right elbow, to miss 14-16 months

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will be out 14-16 months.

The Pirates revealed news of Brubaker’s surgery, which was performed by Arlington, Texas-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, after their 7-0 loss to the Houston Astros at PNC Park.

Brubaker was sent home from Bradenton, Fla., in the final week of spring training and sought a second opinion this week. Before the game, general manager Ben Cherington hinted Brubaker’s elbow injury would keep him sidelined for an extensive period.

“He’s going to overcome this elbow injury and get back,” Cherington said. “We’re gonna support him. Just one of those things. He worked hard to put himself in a good position this spring. He was having a good spring. Unfortunately, he got an injury, and we’ll help him get through it.”

Brubaker’s surgery is a blow to the rotation, as he was expected to have a breakthrough season after a strong spring training that saw him record 26 strikeouts in five Grapefruit League games.

The 29-year-old Brubaker has a 9-28 record with a 4.99 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 61 starts over three major league seasons. He went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 28 starts last season, leading the Pirates with 147 strikeouts and lowered his home run totals from 28 to 17.

Right-hander Johan Oviedo, 25, has replaced Brubaker in the starting rotation and is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in two starts. The Pirates also are awaiting word on a second opinion for right-hander Mike Burrows, a top-10 prospect who left his start Saturday for Triple-A Indianapolis with an elbow injury.

“There really is that opportunity,” Cherington said. “We’ll do whatever we can to help guys take the next step. Someone will take the next step, step up and fill some of that hole that’s been created.”