We learned last night that Dodgers outfield prospect Alfredo Silverio had Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the 2012 season. This marks yet another blow to Silverio that has come as a result of his January car accident.

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Silverio had a breakout 2011 season with the Lookouts, posting a .306/.340/.542 line with 16 home runs, 42 doubles, and a Southern League-leading 18 triples. He was ranked as highly as No. 4 in prospect rankings over the winter (Baseball America). I had him rated as the Dodgers 12th-best prospect when I did my rankings in November and Chad him him at #11 in March.

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The surgery, as Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times tweeted, was related to the car accident. So not only did Silverio have to suffer through concussion symptoms after the accident, but his injuries required Tommy John surgery as well, which explains why the team was so concerned.

Silverio was primed to make an appearance with the Dodgers this season after a strong 2011 showing, but now the timetable for his return after Tommy John surgery sits at around 12 months, barring any further complications. At 25, this is going to be a setback for Silverio — more significant than it would be for a younger player — and it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back and re-establish himself as a legitimate prospect after this ordeal.

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Silverio is the second Dodger outfield prospect to suffer a significant injury, as Angelo Songco had offseason surgery to have a metal rod inserted in his leg. He could be back as early as July.

Luckily for the Dodgers, outfield is the deepest position in the system this side of right-handed pitching. With Scott Van Slyke recalled yesterday, and guys like Alex Castellanos (despite playing 2B), Jerry Sands, and guys in Double-A like Kyle Russell and Blake Smith, the Dodgers should be okay without Silverio.

Regardless, here’s to a speedy recovery for him, because lord knows Silverio’s been through a lot in the last five months.