Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy's Tommy John surgery set for Thursday

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Saturday, announced Wednesday that he will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery Thursday at the Kerlan-Jobe clinic in Los Angeles.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers' team physician. McCarthy will miss the remainder of the 2015 season and at least half of 2016. McCarthy said he has had no further pain in his elbow since his outing but that an MRI indicated a major tear in the UCL. He has even continued to take batting practice this week.

"I would be optimistic about my start this week unless I had to throw a baseball," McCarthy said.

The Dodgers signed McCarthy, 31, to a four-year, $48 million deal in December. This is his 12th time on the disabled list, but the first with an elbow injury. McCarthy was 3-0 with a 5.87 ERA before he had to leave Saturday's start in San Diego with elbow pain.

The Dodgers have said they will replace McCarthy with internal candidates at least until June or so. Carlos Frias and Scott Baker, who started the season in the minor leagues, will start games against the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has been out since spring training with a shoulder injury, has begun throwing bullpen sessions again and could return as early as June.