Brandon Sisk headed for Tommy John surgery …

Left-hander Brandon Sisk, acquired as a throw-in from the Royals in exchange for Ervin Santana and most of his salary, is expected to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery within the next couple of weeks.

The 27-year-old Sisk, placed on the 40-man roster last December in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, has posted a 2.59 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 198 appearances in his five-year Minor League career. The Angels were going to buy out Santana’s 2013 option for $1 million anyway, so instead they had the Royals absorb $12 million of the $13 million owed to him so they’d at least get a player in return.

Sisk, however, came into camp with a bit of a tender elbow, made just two one-inning appearances and was sent down to Minor League camp last Sunday because he’ll be going under the knife soon.

Tommy John surgery is usually a 12-month recovery.

Here’s a story I wrote on Sisk shortly after he was acquired.

– Alden