Toronto's Drew Hutchison Does Not Need Tommy John Surgery

Rookie Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison will not have to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair his injured elbow, reports Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.

Hutchison narrowly avoided joining Brandon Beachy and Felipe Paulino as the third pitcher this week to be scheduled for the season-ending surgery. Out since June 15 with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Hutchison visited several doctors, including Dr. James Andrews, for second and third opinions in an attempt to avoid Tommy John. Club doctors and Andrews ruled that Hutchison does not require the operation, but is on a strict no-throw regimen for the next four to six weeks.

The 21-year-old Hutchison was 5-3 with a 4.60 ERA over 11 starts, racking up 49 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings before soreness in his elbow forced him to the disabled list in mid-June.

If his no-throw regimen goes the full six weeks, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos expects Hutchison to return to the team some time in September.