Fernandez likely headed for Tommy John surgery

Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez has a significant tear in his right elbow and the team doctor has recommended season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Team president Michael Hill made the announcement in the Dodger Stadium press box during Tuesday night’s game against Los Angeles.

“Pitching’s a precious commodity and we’ve always tried to be very careful with it. So you try to err on the side of caution,” Hill said. “We’ve done everything we’ve thought was the right thing, as to how we’ve handled him. It’s just one of those things that happened.”

The 21-year-old Fernandez is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in eight starts. Last season’s N.L. Rookie of the Year was examined Tuesday by Marlins team physician Lee Kaplan in Florida.

Fernandez would be the latest star pitcher in the majors to have Tommy John surgery this year. The recovery time for the elbow ligament transplant procedure can be 12 to 18 months.

The Marlins put their Cuban ace on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

“I think like any 21-year-old kid who hasn’t had an injury or been hurt, it’s tough,” manager Mike Redmond said.

Fernandez is visiting with his family to talk about his options with surgery looming.

Bad burger for Ryno

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg says a Shake Shack hamburger at Citi Field gave him food poisoning during Philadelphia’s weekend series at the New York Mets.

Sandberg says he lost six pounds in two days because he became sick after eating the burger. Mets first baseman Lucas Duda also says a burger from the same place made him ill.

Clearing the bases

Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran has a bone spur in his right elbow that could require surgery if a pain-relief shot does not ease the symptoms. … The Yankees placed setup man Shawn Kelley on the disabled list with a back injury. … The Padres activated outfielder Carlos Quentin from the disabled list. … Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, while third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the DL with a strained left hamstring. … The Royals placed second baseman Omar Infante on the DL with a lower back injury and called up infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Omaha.