Manny Banuelos: Tommy John surgery for Yankees' top pitching prospect

New York Yankees top pitching prospect Manny Banuelos will require Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2013 season. After undergoing an MRI last week, famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews corresponded with the team's medical staff to determine the appropriate course of action.

Banuelos is scheduled to undergo the procedure on Thursday and is expected to miss one full year.

After suffering elbow issues through the start of the season, the Yankees shut down the 21-year-old prospect in August with hopes that he would participate in winter ball. Banuelos only managed to make six starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season and registered an 0-2 record with a 4.50 ERA.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is confident that Banuelos can return to form after the procedure, via the New York Post:

"It's unfortunate, but it's obviously a part of the game. Hopefully, after surgery and rehab, he'll be ready to go. The success rate from this is very high here. Plenty of pitchers have come back from this."