Indians DH Hafner undergoes successful shoulder surgery
Sports Network | October 14, 2008
Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday on his right shoulder, which hampered him for the entire 2008 season.
The decision for surgery was made after Hafner visited with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Monday, and his shoulder condition had not improved. Hafner's shoulder began to bother him in spring training, which prompted a May trip to the disabled list.
Dr. Andrews performed the clean out of the right shoulder joint in Birmingham, and Hafner is expected to make a full recovery by the beginning of the 2009 season after undergoing physical therapy.
Hafner went through a rehab assignment in August, at which point his shoulder strength was at 75 percent, and returned to the Indians in September. But an end-of-season physical revealed his shoulder strength was worse -- 70 percent.
In 57 games this past season, Hafner recorded career lows in average (.197), slugging percentage (.323), in addition to five homers and 24 RBI.
In seven big league seasons -- one with Texas and the past six with Cleveland -- Hafner has hit .282 with 147 home runs and 504 RBI in 729 career games.
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