Cincinnati outfielder needs elbow surgery

CINCINNATI, July 4 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds announced Friday that outfielder Norris Hopper needs season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

The announcement was made before the Reds faced the Washington Nationals Friday afternoon at the Great American Ballpark.

Hopper played in just 26 games this season because of the elbow ailment and had returned from the disabled list June 18.

In 50 at-bats, he hit just .200 with no home runs and one RBI.

"It started bothering me earlier this season, probably around the beginning of May," he said on the team's Web site. "I tried to play through it, but it got unbearable."

Hopper, 29, will have the ligament surgery Tuesday and is expected to be ready for spring training next year.

The Reds also said the next start of struggling right-hander Aaron Harang (3-10) was moved back to Tuesday because of stiffness in his right forearm.

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