ST. PETERSBURG -- Seven days after the Blue Jays placed Ryan Tepera on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow impingement, the right-hander announced that he went under the knife, and is expected out for at least six weeks.

The 31-year-old reliever had been dealing with -- and pitching with -- bone spurs in his throwing elbow that led to the impingement, and after allowing two home runs in one inning on May 20 he indicated to the coaching staff that he “didn’t feel right.”

“He’s not comfortable at this point,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said last week.

Tepera’s procedure was performed Tuesday evening at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Dr. David Altchek shaved down a bone spur and removed a loose body from the back of Tepera’s elbow.

The Blue Jays -- and Tepera -- reported the surgery went well, with the latter expecting to begin throwing again around the six-week mark.

Tepera has been dealing with lingering issues since Spring Training, when he was sidelined with right elbow inflammation. He had a cortisone injection earlier in the year but was bothered enough to need another visit with Altchek.

In 12 appearances this year, Tepera posted a 6.55 ERA and struck out nine over 11 innings. The Texas native had been an anchor in Toronto’s bullpen over the previous two seasons, with five wins, a 3.62 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 68 appearances and 64 2/3 innings in 2018, and a 7-1 record, a 3.59 mark and 81 strikeouts over 77 2/3 innings and 73 appearances in ’17.

Tepera joined an injured list also housing Ryan Borucki -- out since Spring Training with left elbow inflammation – Matt Shoemaker, out for the season with a torn ACL, and Clay Buchholz, sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since May 9. Starter Aaron Sanchez also left his latest start on Monday after just three innings, with a right middle finger nail avulsion.

Luciano activated, Waguespack to IL
The club announced that right-hander Elvis Luciano was activated from the bereavement list prior to Wednesday’s finale against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The 19-year-old rookie reliever has appeared in 15 games for Toronto and worked to a 1-0 record and 7.32 ERA.

He was placed on the bereavement list on Friday.

In a corresponding roster move, Jacob Waguespack was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.

Waguespack made his Major League debut on Monday and held the Rays to three runs (two earned) over four innings of relief. The right-hander was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.