Indians DH Hafner has successful shoulder surgery

Oct 14, 2008 - 11:19 PM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Cleveland Indians slugger Travis Hafner underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, the team announced Tuesday.

The procedure, which was performed by famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama, cleaned out Hafner's right shoulder joint.

Hafner will begin physical therapy Thursday and should be ready for the start of the 2009 season.

Hafner, 31, first started having problems with the shoulder in spring training and eventually went on the disabled list May 30.

Hafner did not return to the Indians until September 9 and, although he did not report it, continued to have discomfort down the stretch.

According to Indians' trainer Lonnie Soloff, neither MRIs nor clinical examinations of the designated hitter's shoulder this year have revealed a need for reconstruction or repair.

Soloff added, however, that Tuesday's procedure should have revealed whether a more extensive surgery is required, but the team did not announce if it came to any further conclusion.

"The time is now to do something," Soloff said. "(We want to) have Travis as close to 100 percent (and) as unrestricted as possible by the start of next year."

Hafner, who batted .197 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 57 games last season, is due to make $49 million over the next four years, with a $13 million option or a $2.75 million buyout for 2013.