Winkler to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Effingham native Danny Winkler, a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies' AA baseball team at Tulsa, will have to undergo Tommy John surgery.

The 24-year-old Winkler, a righthanded starter for the Drillers, has been one of the brightest lights in the Rockies' minor league system. Winkler was removed from his start Saturday after 3-2/3 innings after he told trainers he felt something wrong in his elbow. An MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.

Winkler, now known as Daniel, had followed up a standout California League season last year with a great AA year and had been named to the Texas League All-Star team. In 12 starts, Winkler was 5-2 with a 1.41 ERA. In 70 innings of work, Winkler had allowed just 33 hits, walking only 17 batters while fanning 71.

The 6' 1", 200-pound Winkler graduated from St. Anthony High School and then pitched for Parkland College and the University of South Florida before being drafted by the Rockies.