Infielder anticipates season-ending shoulder surgery
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Junior Spivey's shoulder did not improve with rehab, so he is resigned to having season-ending surgery.
The Brewers second baseman will travel to Los Angeles for a Thursday visit with orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum. Spivey expects to undergo season-ending surgery to repair his left shoulder on Friday.
"With two months to go, that's the only option," Spivey said. "The shoulder's not responding. I'm doing everything I can to get back out there, but I can't even swing the bat right now."
Junior Spivey / 2B
Born: 01/28/75
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
Spivey said doctors told him to expect a 4-6 month rehabilitation following surgery.
Spivey injured his left, non-throwing shoulder diving headfirst into first base in a July 2 doubleheader at Pittsburgh. He suffered a subluxation -- his shoulder popped out of socket, then popped back in -- and he was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The original diagnosis called for Spivey to miss 2-4 weeks. The four-week window expires on Friday, and Spivey said he had been considering surgery for the past week.
"It's time for me to rebuild and get stronger, mentally strong, and get through this," Spivey said. "I did everything I could to get back out there and my body wasn't responding the way I wanted it to. I'll get it taken care of now and I'll be much better off and stronger in Spring Training."
Whether he reports to Maryvale Baseball Park remains to be seen. Spivey, who earned $2.367 million this season, fourth-most among Brewers, is eligible for salary arbitration in the offseason.
Spivey said he hopes to return to the Brewers. In 59 games this season, he batted .272 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs.
"I love it here," Spivey said. "The manager is awesome, the ballclub is awesome, they have a great coaching staff. Richie Dauer [the Brewers infield coach] has been unbelievable, as far as working me on the infield and positioning me. He took my game to a whole new level, defensively."
The arbitration process was not on Spivey's mind Tuesday, when the Brewers lost their fourth straight and eighth in their last nine games to fall a season-low three games under .500.
"You feel like you're letting your teammates down, especially going on the streak that we've been on right now," Spivey said. "You just want to be out there to help the club. You can't do anything from the sidelines."
The Brewers acquired Spivey and five other players from the Arizona Diamondbacks last Dec. 2 in a blockbuster for Richie Sexson. The Diamondbacks lost Sexson to a similar left shoulder injury earlier this season, and Sexson had surgery to repair a torn labrum on June 5. Spivey will need the same fix.
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Junior Spivey / 2B
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