Unable to Shoulder The Burden; Details of Kalish Surgery Revealed
The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reported this morning that Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish will undergo shoulder surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. This is not the same shoulder upon which Kalish had surgery last offseason after suffering a torn labrum. Before last year’s throwing shoulder surgery, Kalish underwent another procedure to repair a bulging disk in his neck.
June 17, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish (70) hits an RBI against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
NESN is reporting that the injury does involve Kalish’s labrum. The surgery will be performed next week by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the same doctor that got Jacoby Ellsbury‘s diagnosis right after his second rib injury, sustained in 2010 when Ells dove for first base during a brief return to the lineup.
Once one of Boston’s most promising prospects, the 24-year old Kalish appears to have the body of a 42-yeaar old. See Conor Duffy’s piece on Kalish’s surgery here. This most recent surgery will cause Kalish to miss spring training and has also reportedly (WEEI) caused Boston to sign outfielder Ryan Sweeney to a minor league contract on Friday.
Sweeney, 27, was nontendered by Boston after hitting .260 in 63 games in 2012. Sweeney, you’ll recall, was shelved mid-season last year when he punched a clubhouse door and discovered that doors are unforgiving and that hands can be broken. Kalish, The Red Sox’ 2010 team rookie of the year, was even worse in 2012, hitting an anemic .229 with three doubles and three steals in 36 games before being shut down in September with shoulder pain.
The Red Sox and Kalish had hoped that rest over the winter was going to solve the problem but it returned as soon as Kalish started swinging a bat recently. Mr. Nava, your seat at the table just got bigger.
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
When the city sleeps
And I’m the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a…
– Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day