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Keone Kela has Tommy John surgery

Former Ranger reliever Keone Kela will be out until mid-2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery

By Adam J. Morris
San Diego Padres v San Francisco Giants Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Keone Kela underwent Tommy John surgery yesterday to repair the damaged UCL in his right elbow, per multiple reports. He will now be out until at least the middle of the 2022 season.

Kela, 28, was originally a 12th round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 2012. He had an impressive rookie campaign in 2015 for Texas, and spent from 2015 until mid-2018 with the Rangers. Kela was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline in 2018 for Taylor Hearn and a player to be named later, who ended up being Sherten Apostel.

Kela struggled to stay healthy with the Pirates, and only logged 2 innings in 3 games in the truncated 2020 season. Kela was eligible for free agency after the 2020 season and signed a one year deal with the San Diego Padres for 2021.

Kela put up a 5.06 ERA in 12 games for the Padres this year. He will be a free agent again after the 2021 season.