Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Sergio Santos throws in the bullpen during practice at their American League spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, February 29, 2012.MIKE CASSESE/Reuters
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Sergio Santos will undergo elbow surgery this week and is expected to be out of the lineup for six weeks.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos called the procedure a "minor cleanup" to shave down bone spurs and clean out loose bodies in the right elbow area.
Santos, who went on the disabled list a month ago with a right triceps injury, has pitched a few times in extended spring training. Anthopoulos said Santos's velocity was lower than usual last Saturday and the decision was made to have the procedure.
Santos missed almost all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He is 0-1 with a 2.08 earned-run average in five appearances this year.
Anthopoulos, who spoke to reporters before Tuesday's game against San Francisco, also said outfielder Melky Cabrera was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Wednesday.
Cabrera, who has been nursing tight hamstrings this season, was the designated hitter for the series opener against the Giants. It's believed that his left hamstring has been giving him the most trouble.
The Blue Jays also pushed right-hander Brandon Morrow's scheduled start from Wednesday to Saturday. Morrow experienced back spasms and a stiff neck last week.
The precautionary move was to give him a few extra days rest. Right-hander Ramon Ortiz was scheduled to replace him in the rotation for the finale of the two-game interleague series against San Francisco.