New York Yankees pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery

New York Yankees starting pitcher Chase Whitley will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, the team announced.

The 25-year-old right-hander exited his start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday after 1.2 innings because of an injury to his throwing elbow.

An MRI on Friday revealed a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, and team doctor Chris Ahmad determined surgery is Whitley's best option, ending his season.

"I have no regrets about it," Whitley said after the MRI.

"In my head, I want to pitch. I told you all from the time I got called up last year, I'm here to pitch. It just happened that way."

Whitley had his ups and downs as the fifth man in the Yankees' rotation.

He was 1-2 in four starts, logging a 4.19 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 19.1 innings pitched.

Chris Capuano, 36, replaced Whitley in the Yankees' rotation after recovering from an injury of his own.

He went just three innings in his first start on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, giving up four earned runs on four hits.

On the positive side, Masahiro Tanaka threw 29 pitches Monday in a bullpen session as he inches toward a return from forearm and wrist problems.