Tankersley to have surgery

Taylor Tankersley, Florida’s first-round pick in 2004 who was optioned to Triple-A
New Orleans in Spring Training, is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left elbow on Friday.

The Marlins on Wednesday morning confirmed the procedure will be performed by Dr. John Conway in Fort Worth, Texas. Conway, formerly a physician for the Rangers, is a leading specialist for these types of procedures. Most likely, the left-handed reliever will have a couple of screws inserted in his elbow.

The exact recovery time won’t be known until after the surgery. Best case scenario appears that he could begin throwing in about six weeks. If it is more serious, it could be season threatening.

Tankersley recently visited Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

A first-round pick out of the University of Alabama in 2004, Tankersley was optioned to Triple-A on March 23. He has not pitched for the Zephyrs this season.

– Joe Frisaro