CHICAGO (AP) -Left-hander Neal Cotts, who pitched in 19 games this season for the Chicago Cubs before being sent to the minors on May 27, underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery Thursday.

Cotts was 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA for Chicago this season before being sent to Triple-A Iowa. The surgery was performed by Dr. Timothy Kremchek of Cincinnati.

Cotts, 29, has pitched in the majors for seven seasons. The left-hander was a key member of the Chicago White Sox's bullpen in 2005 when they won the World Series.

He was traded to the Cubs on Nov. 6, 2006 for pitchers David Aardsma and Carlos Vasquez.

Cotts has a 10-12 record and 4.63 ERA in 284 major league games, including five starts.