DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Blue Jays right-hander Bo Schultz will miss the 2017 season after it was announced that he underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday afternoon in New York.
Schultz definitely won't pitch again this year, but there is a chance he will be available next spring. Tommy John surgery recoveries typically take approximately 12 months.
The 31-year-old Schultz initially was diagnosed with bone chips in his right elbow, but manager John Gibbons hinted that Tommy John surgery was a possibility as well.
"He's got a couple of chips in there and they'll look at the ligament while they're in there," Gibbons said before Schultz underwent the procedure.
Schultz had been in the mix for one of the final two spots in the bullpen. Aaron Loup and Mike Bolsinger appear to be the favorites to win the jobs in the final week of camp, but right-hander Dennis Tepera is still in the running as well.
Schultz made 16 appearances for the Blue Jays last season, posting a 5.51 ERA. He was hampered by a hip injury, but he was a key contributor in the bullpen in 2015, when he had a 3.56 ERA over 43 innings.