"Cubs prospect Brandon Birdsell, one of the top young arms in the system, will undergo surgery on his right elbow this week, assistant general manager Jared Banner announced yesterday ( link via Janie McCauley of the Associated Press). Banner didn't provide specifics regarding the injury, noting only that the procedure will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister - one of the industry's most prominent orthopedic surgeons - and that more information will be known following the procedure."
"Banner made no mention of Birdsell's ulnar collateral ligament, though that's obviously the fear in situations like this. It's relatively common with UCL injuries for medical experts to determine that the ligament needs repair but hold off on making the call between an internal brace and full replacement (i.e. Tommy John surgery) until the operation is underway and the surgeon can get a first-hand look at the extent of the damage."
Brandon Birdsell will undergo surgery on his right elbow this week, with Dr. Keith Meister performing the procedure and further details to be announced after surgery. The team did not specify whether the ulnar collateral ligament is involved; surgeons often decide between an internal brace and Tommy John replacement only after inspecting the tissue during surgery. Birdsell is a former Texas Tech pitcher and a Cubs fifth-round pick in 2022. He posted a 2.77 ERA across High-A and Double-A in 2023 and a 3.91 ERA in 135 2/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, improving strikeout and walk rates and rising in prospect rankings. He began 2025 on the injured list before returning in mid-June.
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