Seibu Lions lefty Tomomi Takahashi, who saved 51 games over the previous two seasons, has had Tommy John surgery, the Pacific League club announced Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Takahashi appeared in seven games this spring with one save, three holds and one win before being deactivated on April 22 with stiffness in his left elbow.
Pitchers usually require at least 12 months to return to fitness after having the ligament reconstruction procedure.