KOBE (Kyodo) Orix Buffaloes ace Chihiro Kaneko underwent surgery at a Kobe hospital Wednesday to remove bone chips from his right elbow.
It is expected to take two to three months before he returns to action, according to Orix chief trainer Akihiro Izutsu.
Kaneko, who tied for the Pacific League lead in wins with 17 last season, had to leave the team's spring training complex on the Okinawa island of Miyako on Monday after complaining of discomfort in the elbow.
"I just want him to be back after his elbow has fully recovered," Orix manager Akinobu Okada said. "We have to be in title contention when he returns to the team."