Baseball

September 4, 2010

Strasburg’s surgery goes ‘smoothly’ notes

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Nationals rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg had reconstructive elbow surgery Friday that could keep him out of the starting rotation until the 2012 season.

Lewis Yocum performed the procedure in Inglewood, Calif., in which a piece of ligament was taken from the 22-year-old right-hander’s left leg and transplanted into his pitching elbow.

The Nationals said that Strasburg will be released from the hospital today and begin rehab on Monday at the Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif., near his home in San Diego.

“Everything went very smoothly and the reports were very good,” Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday night, before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“He’ll start his rehab in a couple of days and we’re very confident he will come back strong from this surgery,” Rizzo added. “I really feel this is just a blip in what is going to be an outstanding career for Stephen.”

RED SOX

BOSTON — Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has undergone season-ending surgery for a broken bone in his left foot.

A screw was inserted into the foot in Friday’s operation. The 2008 AL MVP finished the season with 12 homers, 41 RBI and a .288 batting average.

Pedroia fouled a ball off his foot on June 25. He was sidelined until Aug. 17 and played in just two games before pain in his foot sent him back to the disabled list.

Pedroia said before Thursday’s game in Baltimore, where Boston wrapped up a three-game series, that the operation would help the foot heal.

The injury limited him to 75 games this season after he averaged 150 the past three seasons.

METS

CHICAGO — New York Mets ace Johan Santana remains day to day with a strained left pectoral muscle.

Manager Jerry Manuel said the injury is “nothing they think is serious” but is not sure if Santana will miss a start. He’s scheduled to pitch Tuesday against Washington.

Santana left following the fifth inning of Thursday’s 4-2 win over Atlanta. Manuel says Santana will probably throw some long toss today and possibly a bullpen session.

Santana had little to say before Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, telling reporters “I’m good, guys” as he walked into the trainer’s room. He also declined comment after the Mets’ 7-6 loss.

Angel Pagan has been limited lately by tendinitis in his forearm, and shortstop Jose Reyes has been sidelined since Aug. 26 because of a strained right oblique. Manuel says the Mets haven’t discussed shutting him down “at this point.”

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