Jays pitcher Santos to undergo elbow surgery

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Sergio Santos pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during third inning MLB Grapefruit League baseball action in Clearwater, Fla., on Sunday, March 3, 2013. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

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The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, May 14, 2013 6:32PM EDT

TORONTO - Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Sergio Santos will undergo elbow surgery this week and is expected to be out of the lineup for six weeks.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos called the procedure a "minor cleanup" to shave down bone spurs and clean out loose bodies in the right elbow area.

Santos, who went on the disabled list a month ago with a right triceps injury, has pitched a few times in extended spring training. Anthopoulos said Santos's velocity was lower than usual last Saturday and the decision was made to have the procedure.

Santos missed almost all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He is 0-1 with a 2.08 earned-run average in five appearances this year.

Anthopoulos, who spoke to reporters before Tuesday's game against San Francisco, also said outfielder Melky Cabrera was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Wednesday.

Cabrera, who has been nursing tight hamstrings this season, was the designated hitter for the series opener against the Giants. It's believed that his left hamstring has been giving him the most trouble.