Yokohama BayStars outfielder Alex Ramirez has undergone endoscopic surgery to clean out his ailing right elbow, the team said Thursday.

The 38-year-old Ramirez will have a rehab assignment with the farm team in Yokosuka once he is ready to return to work, the team added. He can begin throwing catch in about a month.

Ramirez, a two-time home run king in the Central League, is just seven shy of his 2,000th career hit in Japanese baseball.