HOUSTON -- Francis Martes, the Astros' former top pitching prospect, will miss the rest of the 2018 season and likely all of '19 after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Wednesday in Houston, general manager Jeff Luhnow said.
Martes, 22, underwent surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, a surgery that typically has a 12- to 16-month recovery. Martes threw 54 1/3 innings for the Astros last year, going 5-2 with a 5.80 ERA in 32 games (four starts).
Martes threw 19 2/3 innings this year, mostly in four starts at Triple-A Fresno. He walked 17 batters in 18 2/3 innings for the Grizzlies, including eight in 4 1/3 innings in his last start for them on April 29. He threw one inning in a rehab assignment on Aug. 2 in the Gulf Coast League.
The Astros acquired Martes from the Marlins, along with outfielder Jake Marisnick and infielder Colin Moran, in 2015 in exchange for pitcher Jarred Cosart, infielder Enrique Hernandez and Minor League outfielder Austin Wates.