Rays' Niemann to have shoulder surgery
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann is scheduled to have shoulder surgery this week that may end his season, according to multiple reports.
Niemann visited Texas Rangers team physician Keith Meister Monday for a second opinion, and then decided on surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff rather than resting his right shoulder.
Rays trainer Ron Porterfield told the Tampa Tribune that the surgery will "more than likely" end Niemann's season.
"He feels he can't compete at this level without [the surgery]," Porterfield told the paper. "He feels like right now it's bothering him too much that he just doesn't have his confidence that he can do what he needs to do."
Niemann, 30, struggled with injuries in 2012 as well. He went 2-3 with a 3.08 ERA in eight starts, but broke his leg in May. He returned Sept. 1, but left that game with shoulder problems.
