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Rodriguez undergoes Tommy John surgery

SAN FRANCISCO -- The A's announced that reliever Fernando Rodriguez underwent successful Tommy John surgery this week.

The right-hander's procedure was performed by Astros' team physician Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston on Wednesday. "[The surgery] had no complications and Rodriguez will be rejoining the A's on Saturday to begin his rehabilitation process," the team said in a release.

The 28-year-old Rodriguez, acquired by the A's along with Jed Lowrie from Houston last month, is facing at least a year's worth of rehab time on his elbow.

"Everything went really well, so he should feel good about that," manager Bob Melvin said. "He still has quite the career ahead of him. This is just a year setback. It's disappointing, but especially for a power pitcher like him, now you don't have to worry about that anymore.

"Really, after Tommy John, with the technology, guys come back throwing harder. Having that secure feeling that that thing is triple-wrapped in there, you don't have to worry about that type of injury again, knock on wood."

Rodriguez compiled a 10.13 ERA in four Spring Training games with the A's before learning that his ulnar collateral ligament was torn. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list last Saturday.

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB.
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