Pacific League MVP and Sawamura Award winner Chihiro Kaneko had bone cartilage cleaned from his right elbow for the second time on Saturday, the Orix Buffaloes said.
According to Orix, the 31-year-old Kaneko, who has filed for free agency, will need at least three months to recover.
The right-hander underwent a similar endoscopic surgery on the same elbow in February 2011 and returned to the club's top team in June the same year.
Kaneko, who pitched in the recently concluded MLB-Japan All-Star Series, complained of discomfort in his elbow last Sunday and revealed that he planned to have surgery two days later.
Kaneko abandoned an opportunity to move to the majors this offseason via posting system and will either remain with the Buffaloes or move to another NPB team.