Julian Fernández to undergo Tommy John surgery

The Giants announced Saturday that 22-year-old right-hander Julian Fernández will undergo Tommy John surgery.

The team placed Fernández on the 60-day disabled list last week with a UCL sprain, and, after seeking a second medical opinion it was determined that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gary Waslewski would perform the season-ending surgery on Fernández this Thursday in Arizona.

The Colorado Rockies signed the flame-thrower out of his native Dominican Republic in 2012, and he played five seasons in their farm system. San Francisco picked Fernández up as a Rule 5 draft pick from the Rockies this past offseason, and if he hadn’t made the Giants roster he would’ve been returned to Colorado.

In 7-1/3 innings in Spring Training, Fernández had 12 strikeouts but owned a 13.50 ERA, so it was unlikely the Giants intended to elevate the righty to the big leagues this season. Despite triple-digit velocity, he has never pitched above Single-A ball and has yet to hone his control.

Essentially the Giants played a game of hot potato with the Rockies — and lost. The odd set of circumstances means the Giants, a team already playing limbo with the luxury tax, will be saddled with Fernandez’s Major-League minimum salary of $545,000 as the youngster, who will likely not throw a single pitch in the regular season, technically earns a year of service time.