Kalish likely to have surgery and miss spring training

Outfielder Ryan Kalish is likely miss spring training and the start of the regular season, according to a report by Matthew Stucko of milb.com. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com confirmed the report that Kalish will need surgery.

The surgery will be on his right non-throwing shoulder and performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum next week according to multiple reports. Kalish previously had surgery on the torn labrum in his left shoulder in November 2011.

Injuries have sidetracked the promising career of Kalish, Boston's 2009 Minor League Player of the Year and 2010 Red Sox Rookie of the Year. After a promising debut, hitting .252/.305/.405 in 53 Red Sox games as a rookie, Kalish missed almost all of 2011 after he was injured making a diving play in the field. Diagnosed with  a partial tear of the labrum in his left shoulder, he did not return until late August. It was short-lived though as he was shut down after eight games, electing to have neck surgery that September for a bulging disc in his neck that occurred while rehabbing. He aggravated the labrum in his throwing shoulder again before last season and needed surgery. Kalish began the rehab for this in late May and rejoined the major league club on June 17. He hit .229/.272/.260 in 36 games across two stints with Boston. 

Kalish has one minor league option remaining. He was expected to be in the mix for a big league outfield spot in spring training. 

[8:09 PM UPDATE: Multiple reports now indicate that Kalish will have surgery on his right shoulder.]

Photo credit: Ryan Kalish by Kelly O'Connor

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