Lackey to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

[joeybee12]

Well, at least this explains why he couldn’t get anyone out.

John Lackey traveled to California to have his elbow examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum and the Red Sox announced today that he’ll undergo Tommy John surgery, knocking him out for all of 2012 and perhaps part of 2013.

Lackey will earn $15.25 million while rehabbing next season and is also owed $15.25 million in both 2013 and 2014.

Undergoing elbow surgery also triggers a 2015 option in his contract for the MLB minimum salary, so the Red Sox just got themselves another year of Lackey and more importantly are now able to stretch his contract over another season to lessen their luxury tax figures.

The decision to sign Lackey to a five-year, $82.5 million contract was obviously one of Theo Epstein’s worst and in an amusing twist Epstein’s replacement as Red Sox general manager, Ben Cherington, made his first official act as GM announcing Lackey’s surgery decision.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/25/john-lackey-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery-will-miss-2012/related/

[hughee99]

1. I'm not sure about this, but I think insurance may be picking up

his tab for next year.

[MaineDem]

2. I hope he gets his crap together during this off time

Baseball and personal.