Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Grammys open with prayer for Whitney Houston

Red Sox catcher undergoes knee surgery

Varitek expected to begin rehab immediately, no timetable for return

Image: VaritekAP
The Angels' Mike Napoli, left, is tagged out by Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek during the 11th inning on Saturday.

BOSTON - Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek had arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday and was expected to begin rehabilitation immediately, though there was no timetable given for when Boston’s captain could return.

Team medical director Dr. Thomas Gill, who performed the surgery for torn cartilage in Varitek’s left knee, indicated that it went as planned. Varitek originally hurt his knee when Angels catcher Mike Napoli slid into him while blocking the plate on Saturday. On Monday, Varitek was rounding second on Coco Crisp’s second-inning single when things got worse.

He left the game in the third inning and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

Doug Mirabelli is expected to start most of Boston’s games in his absence. The Red Sox called up Ken Huckaby from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday as a backup.

At the time of his injury, Varitek was batting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBI in 85 games.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
Interactive
Rangers Spring Baseball
Maps to spring training sites
Your guide to sites in Arizona, Florida
Slideshow
Houston Astros
  Unbreakable records in baseball
A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters.
Slideshow
Image: Albert Pujols
  The top tools of baseball
You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down.

more photos