Bregman has surgery on his right elbow

HOUSTON — Astros third baseman Alex Bregman underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, the team announced.

Bregman will be limited at the start of spring training, according to a statement disseminated Friday morning, but the Astros expect their reigning All-Star infielder to be ready to play prior to opening day at the Tampa Bay Rays on March 28 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Bregman approached the team around New Year’s Day to complain of discomfort, general manager Jeff Luhnow said.

The loose bodies were discovered in a recent doctor’s visit, leading Bregman and the club to make a mutual decision for an operation.

“It’s a decision that he made together with us to take care of it now,” Luhnow said. “I think he probably could have been fine playing with it this season, but if it became symptomatic this season, we’d be losing games and doing it now allows us to get him back before the season starts.”

In a breakout second season, Bregman finished fifth in American League Most Valuable Player voting and was named Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game in his first appearance.

Bregman was the first player in major league history to hit 50 doubles and 30 home runs while playing a majority of his games at third base. He joined Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Lou Gehrig as the only major leaguers to post seasons of at least 50 doubles and 30 home runs prior to turning 25.

Luhnow said Bregman, 24, will be able to resume activity “pretty quickly, like within a week.” Still, the Astros will limit his spring training exposure in hopes of having him healthy for the regular season.

“Given the way he works and the way he gets up to speed, I’m not really concerned that he’s going to miss any season time,” Luhnow said. “He should have enough of a spring training to get ready.”

The procedure is the fourth required by an Astros regular this offseason. Second baseman Jose Altuve underwent knee surgery in October, but is expected to be ready for spring training. Lance McCullers Jr. underwent Tommy John surgery in November and will miss the season.

Righthanded reliever Joe Smith ruptured his Achilles tendon last month and will be out for six to eight months.

Karen Warren / Staff photographer In the 2018 regular season, Astros third baseman Alex Bregman batted .286 with 170 hits, 105 runs and 103 RBIs. He finished fifth in the voting for the American League MVP honor. The club expects Bregman to be ready for opening day March 28.

Karen Warren / Staff photographer The Astros will limit Bregman’s participation in spring training but expect him to have enough time on the field to get ready.