By Jim Callis
April 2, 2003

The Cubs' logjam of talented Class A pitching prospects eased slightly on Tuesday—but not in a way they ever would have wished. Promising lefthander Luke Hagerty learned that he has a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, which will require Tommy John surgery and cause him to miss the entire 2003 season.

Hagerty had experienced no physical problems during an impressive spring in minor league camp. Scouts from other clubs were raving about his 94-95 mph fastball and his improved slider, and wondered how he lasted until the 32nd overall pick in the 2002 draft. But while warming up for his final spring-training start on Friday, he threw a slider and felt a pop in his elbow.

Hagerty immediately stopped throwing and was sent to Chicago for an MRI on Tuesday—his 22nd birthday—which revealed the elbow tear. The ligament isn't completely severed, so doctors will be able to take a ligament from his leg and intertwine it with the original ligament. He's scheduled to have Tommy John surgery next week.

Cubs farm director Oneri Fleita said the team hopes to have Hagerty back on a mound in spring training next year.

"It's a huge blow to us and it's a huge blow to him," Fleita said. "But it seems like his spirits are OK. He made it known to me he would come back from this. He said it was just a bump in the road. That says something about his character."

Hagerty, who signed for $1.15 million, went 5-3, 1.13 at short-season Boise in his pro debut last summer, helping the Hawks win the Northwest League championship. He had a 50-15 strikeout-walk ratio in 48 innings and limited opponents to a .189 average. Managers ranked another Boise lefty, Andy Sisco, and Hagerty as the two best pitching prospects in the league.