CINCINNATI -- The Reds announced that left-handed starting pitcher John Lamb had surgery on Monday to repair a lumbar disc herniation. Lamb is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2017 season.
Dr. Ian Rodway at Beacon Orthopaedics in Cincinnati performed the procedure.
This is the second straight offseason that the 26-year-old Lamb has required back surgery. He had an operation on Dec. 7 to repair a disc in his lower back, and it caused him to miss the start of this season before he made his 2016 debut on May 3.
But it did not go well on the mound for Lamb, who was 1-7 with a 6.43 ERA in 14 starts before he was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on July 16. He made three more starts for Louisville before going on their disabled list Aug. 4 with a left elbow injury and missing the rest of the season.
Since the Reds acquired Lamb in July 2015 from the Royals in the Johnny Cueto trade, he has a 2-12 record and a 6.17 ERA in 24 starts.