Sox's Dunning out for season following Tommy John surgery

Patience did not pay off for the White Sox.

Last June, prized pitching prospect Dane Dunning was shut down for the season with a sprained right elbow.

Dunning reported to spring training feeling better and hoping for the best, but the 24-year-old starter experienced more elbow discomfort during a throwing session in February.

On Monday, Dunning had Tommy John surgery in Pensacola, Fla., the team said. Dr. James Andrews performed the operation.

Dunning is out for the year and should be ready to pitch again early in the 2020 season.

Acquired from the Nationals in the 2016 trade that sent outfielder Adam Eaton to Washington, Dunning was a combined 6-3 with a 2.71 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 86⅓ innings for high Class A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham last year.

Heading into spring training, Dunning was rated the No. 80 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline.

Dunning is the Sox's third notable young pitcher to recently have Tommy John surgery.

Relief pitcher Zack Burdi had the reconstructive elbow surgery in June of 2017 and starter Michael Kopech had Tommy John surgery last September.