Cotton diagnosed with sprained UCL

MESA, Ariz. -- A's starter Jharel Cotton will seek a second opinion after receiving unfavorable news on his sore right elbow.

Cotton has been diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament, which signifies a tear of the UCL. That's typically a precursor to Tommy John surgery, which would sideline Cotton, who also has a strained flexor muscle, for more than a year.

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The A's hold out hope that Cotton will be back in action sooner than that, but it's reasonable to assume he'll at least be out several months.

"We're looking for second opinions right now," A's manager Bob Melvin said, "so obviously not great news."

Cotton, who was 9-10 with a 5.58 ERA in 24 starts during…