Faedo to undergo Tommy John surgery

Casey Mize's Major League debut marked the beginning of a new era in Detroit. But it will take some time before the next wave fully takes over Comerica Park.

Tigers No. 10 prospect Alex Faedo will undergo Tommy John surgery later this month to repair a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the team announced Saturday. Selected 18th overall in the 2017 Draft, Faedo is one of five pitchers ranked within the franchise's Top 30 prospects.

“After consultation between our club medical experts and outside specialists, the recommendation was made for Alex Faedo to undergo reconstructive surgery of his UCL on his right arm,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a statement. “Alex is in agreement with this course of action and is scheduled to have the procedure later this month. We know he will approach the process with the necessary dedication that gets him back on the mound.”

Faedo sports a 3.96 ERA with a .232 opponents' batting average, 1.13 WHIP and a 9.29 strikeouts per nine innings in two Minor League seasons.

The 25-year-old right-hander last pitched for Double-A Erie in 2019, a year after making his Minor League debut. He made 22 starts, compiling a 3.90 ERA and 134 strikeouts over 115 1/3 innings. Faedo pitched alongside Mize, the Tigers' No. 2 Tigers, third-ranked Matt Manning, No. 5 Tarik Skubal and No. 9 Joey Wentz with the SeaWolves.

The University of Florida product finished third in the Eastern League in strikeouts, one spot behind Manning (148). On April 24, he combined with Drew Carlton on a no-hitter, fanning five and allowing three baserunners over seven innings.

Faedo made three relief appearances in Spring Training this year, posting a 5.40 ERA with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. He was prevented from participating in summer camp due to COVID-19 protocols. Faedo was assigned to the Tigers' alternate training site in Toledo, Ohio, before suffering a right forearm strain that shut him down in September.