Drabek to have Tommy John surgery

SAN DIEGO -- One day after introducing new pitching prospect Joe Savery, the Phillies received a severe blow to last year's top choice.

The team announced pitcher Kyle Drabek, a 2006 first-round Draft pick, will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, to be performed in New York by Dr. David Altchek, the Mets' team physician.

Drabek, the son of former Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek, was selected 18th overall out of The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas. He was 5-1 with a 4.33 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) for the Lakewood BlueClaws of the South Atlantic League.

The 19-year-old Drabek's final appearance of the season came against Delmarva, when he allowed three runs -- one earned -- on two hits. He didn't record an out and went on the disabled list shortly after with elbow inflammation.

The right-hander began a throwing program about two weeks ago, but still felt soreness after playing long toss the other day, said Steve Noworyta, the team's director of Minor Leagues.

"We've been fortunate with not having that many surgeries," Noworyta said. "As much torque and power as Drabek throws, you're going to run into some situations like that. It's just unfortunate that it happened to him. We'll get him back and going again."