Smyly getting Tommy John surgery

Drew Smyly was the centerpiece to one of the many offseason moves made by Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto.

As a proven left-hander, Smyly was a priority acquisition who the Mariners believed would thrive pitching at Safeco Field. However, he will end his first season in Seattle never having thrown a pitch during the regular season.

The Mariners announced Wednesday that Smyly will need Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

“I feel bad for Drew,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “I know how excited he was when we acquired him. He did everything he could to try and get back with us, the treatments and procedures and whatnot to figure it out.”

Smyly had been on the disabled list since opening day with a flexor strain in his left arm, an ailment diagnosed in spring training one outing after he pitched for the United States during the World Baseball Classic. Smyly had been rehabbing in the hopes of returning after the All-Star break, but Servais said Smyly came out of his 25-pitch simulated game last weekend not feeling great and additional exams revealed the need for surgery.

The operation is scheduled for July 6. Recovery time is typically 12 to 15 months.

“Everybody was excited about getting him back, but that’s obviously not going to happen,” Servais said. “We’ve dealt with a lot of things this year and we’ll deal with this one.”

Smyly was acquired in January in a multi-team deal. The Mariners got outfielder Mallex Smith from the Braves, then packaged him in a trade with the Rays the same day to land Smyly.