Padres: Luis Perdomo undergoes Tommy John surgery

From the didn’t expect that department, Padres pitcher Luis Perdomo underwent Tommy John surgery last week. He’s out for all of 2021.

It turns out that Luis Perdomo‘s forearm inflammation in September was more serious than initially believed, as the 27-year-old reportedly underwent Tommy John surgery last week.

Perdomo had an increased role with the ballclub this year with all of the bullpen days the Padres had. His best outing of the year came against Seattle on August 27, tossing 3.1 innings while fanning six batters without allowing any runs or walks.

As noted, he landed on the injured list before returning to pitch 1.1 innings against the Dodgers. After that, he was optioned to the team’s alternate training site. He wasn’t the best pitcher, but this certainly opens the door for others to step up in his role.

General manager AJ Preller is likely to look outside the organization for help as well.

Perdomo is a former Rule 5 draft pick, going from High-A Palm Beach of the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2015 to pitching for the Padres in 2016. That year, he made 35 appearances, including 20 starts, posting a 5.71 ERA in 146.2 innings.

The Padres are hoping for more fortunate news on their top two starters leading into spring training, as they’ve recently been hit with several pitching injuries in Anderson Espinoza, Jose Castillo, Trey Wingenter, and now Perdomo.

The big righty is under team control through the 2022 season, but you have to wonder if the Padres will non-tender him.