Padres pitching prospect Chris Paddack will receive Tommy John surgery

In what has been a very busy and exciting day for the Padres organization and its fans, with the trade of Matt Kemp and the subsequent announcement that Hector Olivera will be designated for assignment, there is now some bad news. Pitching prospect Chris Paddack, recently acquired in the trade that sent All-Star closer Fernando Rodney to the Marlins, has a torn ligament in his elbow and will need Tommy John surgery.

Paddack's status has been up in the air since Monday, when he was pulled before his scheduled start when he felt pain while warming up. In his second year of pro ball, the 2015 eighth-rounder has been absolutely lights out. The 20-year-old has a 0.85 ERA and a WHIP of 0.591 in 42.1 innings over nine starts split between Low-A Greensboro and Fort Wayne. He has struck out 71 batters and walked only five for the ridiculous ratios of 15.1 K/9, 1.1 BB/9, and 14.2 K/BB. A date for his surgery has not been set yet.

Chris Paddack likely headed for Tommy John surgery. Has a torn ligament in his elbow.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) July 31, 2016