Indians' Hagadone might need second Tommy John surgery

Nick Hagadone's recent setback is feared to be much worse than initially expected.

The Indians reliever was pulled from his minor-league rehab start with Class-A Mahoning Valley on Wednesday due to elbow discomfort and manager Terry Francona says the team fears he will need Tommy John surgery.

"He was examined and it's not good," said Francona, (via Cleveland.com) who hesitated to provide more, definitive insight before the reliever gets a second opinion. "He looks like he hurt it pretty good."

Hagadone underwent reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow in 2008 as a minor leaguer with the Red Sox organization

"It looks like he did it again," Francona said. "We'll have more [when he gets re-examined]. This isn't something that's [just] a week with no throwing."

The 29-year-old left-hander has been on the disabled list July 8. Before he was sidelined with a back injury, Hagadone had posted a 4.28 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in 27 1/3 innings (36 appearances) for the Indians this season.

(h/t Cleveland.com)