Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer told reporters, including the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan, that right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa will undergo Tommy John surgery (Twitter link). Sullivan adds (also on Twitter) that the injury is not a result of Fujikawa's two-inning appearance over the weekend. Hoyer informed reporters that Fujikawa's elbow popped on one pitch to Cincinnati's Joey Votto.
The 32-year-old Fujikawa was a significant offseason signing for the Cubs. A legendary closer in Japan, he signed a two-year deal worth $9.5MM with a vesting option for the 2015 season. In 12 innings for the Cubs this season, he's allowed seven runs but also fanned 14 against just two walks. The loss of Fujikawa is a significant blow to an already struggling Cubs bullpen.
Manager Dale Sveum told Sullivan that it's too early to worry about who will handle the ninth inning for the Cubs in 2014, but Fujikawa was signed with that role in mind (Twitter link).
