Tudor Has Surgery, Is Expected to Be Competing Again by July

Dodger left-hander John Tudor underwent reconstructive surgery to his left elbow Thursday, and Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed it, said Tudor should be able to return to full-time duty by July.

Tudor had an operation similar to the one Jobe performed on Tommy John in 1974, which was so successful that John was still pitching this season at age 45. A tendon was taken from Tudor’s left forearm and grafted to the elbow.

“He (Tudor) will start rehabilitation and should be able to throw batting practice by the end of spring training,� said Jobe, the Dodgers’ team physician. “With rehabilitation, he should be able to pitch competitively by midseason.�

Tudor, 34, also had arthroscopic surgery to clean out his left shoulder, and he had bone screws removed from his right knee. He was expected to remain hospitalized until today or Saturday.

Catchers Mike Scioscia and Rick Dempsey also underwent surgery that the team described as successful, and both went home.

Scioscia, who was injured in Game 4 of the World Series when he slid into second base, had torn cartilage removed from his right knee. Dempsey had torn cartilage taken from his left shoulder.