MESA, Ariz. -- After he was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament earlier this week, A's right-hander Jharel Cotton has decided to have Tommy John surgery.
Cotton, 26, was 9-10 with a 5.58 ERA in 24 starts over two stints during his 2017 rookie season.
Cotton was optimistic about avoiding the procedure, because he felt improvement in his arm since exiting his Monday outing after four innings. He struck out five for the third time this spring and appeared well on his way to locking down a rotation spot again.