Cubs minor league reliever Neal Cotts has elbow ligament replacement surgery

Neal Cotts has Tommy John surgery

CHICAGO — Left-hander Neal Cotts, who pitched in 19 games this season for the Chicago Cubs before being sent to the minors on May 27, underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery Thursday.

Cotts was 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA for Chicago this season before being sent to Triple-A Iowa. The surgery was performed by Dr. Timothy Kremchek of Cincinnati.

“It’s a shame. It really is,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “He went down there with a specific purpose and that was to improve his slider, and he hurt himself. I feel bad for the young man, I really do.”

Cotts, 29, has pitched in the majors for seven seasons. The left-hander was a key member of the Chicago White Sox’s bullpen in 2005 when they won the World Series.

In eight postseason appearances, including six with the White Sox, Cotts has not allowed a run over four innings. He appeared in all four games of the 2005 World Series.

He was traded to the Cubs on Nov. 16, 2006, for pitchers David Aardsma and Carlos Vasquez.

Cotts has a 10-12 record and 4.63 ERA in 284 major league games, including five starts.