OAKLAND -- A's left-hander Felix Doubront underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, the first of his career and it went "about as normal as it could be for an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction," team trainer Nick Paparesta said.
Dr. Timothy Kremchek performed the operation at the Beacon Orthopedic and Medical facility in Cincinnati, using the gracilis tendon from Doubront's hamstring for the UCL graft rather than the palmaris longus tendon found in the forearm because it wasn't thick enough.
Kremchek also removed a bone spur near the medial aspect of Doubront's elbow during the procedure.
Doubront, who was penciled in as the A's fifth starter before injuring his elbow in his final exhibition start, is set to return to the Bay Area on Thursday and be back at the Coliseum on Friday to begin therapy.
First-time Tommy John patients typically face a rehab period spanning 12 to 18 months.
• Right-handed pitcher Henderson Alvarez (shoulder surgery) threw a pair of 15-pitch innings against hitters in Class-A Advanced Stockton on Monday and is now prepared to throw a simulated game at a date to be determined. He's expected to join the A's rotation in May.
• Infielder Eric Sogard, rehabbing a strained neck, joined the team for pregame workouts on Tuesday and will continue his rehab assignment with Stockton. Sogard is expected to play nine innings at shortstop for the Ports.