San Diego Padres pitcher Tim Hill went under the knife on Wednesday to address ligament damage and clear scar tissue in his left ring finger, according to Padres reporter Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The 33-year-old is out for the season and will not throw for six to eight weeks but is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

Over 44 1/3 innings in the 2023 MLB season, Hill struggled, posting a 5.48 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP, and a 26:14 K:BB ratio.

His strikeout rate remained below 13% for the second consecutive year. Hill's finger issue may have contributed to his on-field challenges.

The Kansas City Royals selected Hill in the 32nd round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut for the team in 2018, playing for Kansas City until the end of the 2019 season.

The Padres acquired the left-handed pitcher in July 2020 in exchange for outfielder Franchy Cordero and right-handed prospect Ronald Bolaños to Kansas City.

Tim Hill is set to hit free agency

Having spent the past four seasons in San Diego, Hill agreed to a one-year, $1.85 million contract with the team last January, which avoided salary arbitration.

Considering his declining performance this season, it would be no surprise if the Padres choose not to extend him a contract offer.