September 19, 2008 at 8:09 AM
Britton to have Tommy John Surgery
According to a reliable source, Red Sox prospect Drake Britton is scheduled to have Tommy John Surgery on Tuesday, September 23. Britton, 19, went 1-2 for the Lowell Spinners in 2008 with a 4.28 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and 16 walks. He last pitched on August 3, going five innings and earning the win against the Vermont Lake Monsters. At the time, his velocity was down a bit, after which time he skipped a start and was soon thereafter shut down for the season with elbow concerns. A highly-regarded prospect coming out of Tomball (TX) High Scholl in 2007, Boston selected Britton in the 23rd round after he slipped due to bonus demands. He eventually signed with the Red Sox at the 2008 signing deadline for a $700,000 bonus. Brtitton is now likely to miss the entire 2009 season.