Reports: Angels pitcher Garrett Richards needs Tommy John surgery

Angels pitcher Garrett Richards needs Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL in his pitching elbow and will miss the rest of the season.

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Angels pitcher Garrett Richards needs Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL in his pitching elbow and will miss the rest of the season, according to multiple reports. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan was first to report the news. 

Richards, who turns 28 later this month, has the best ERA of any starter on Anaheim’s staff. In six starts this season, he has a 2.34 ERA and 1.327 WHIP. He has struck out 34 batters and walked 15 in 34 2/3 innings. 

Richards has been the Angels’ top pitcher for the past three seasons. The team is already without starter C.J. Wilson, who continues to rehab a shoulder injury. 

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Passan also reports that Angels starter Andrew Heaney has a UCL injury, though he is rehabbing with the hope of avoiding Tommy John surgery.