O's minor league pitcher Butler has surgery
LHP Tony Butler underwent arthroscopic left shoulder surgery on Thursday in Baltimore. The procedure, performed by Orioles team doctors, went well and the O's are hopeful that Butler will be pitching in the Minor Leagues later this summer.
Butler, one of five players the Orioles acquired from Seattle in the February 2008 Erik Bedard deal, went 3-4, 4.42 in 11 starts covering 55 innings for Delmarva last year.
"It was exploratory surgery on his left shoulder," David Stockstill, the O's Director of Player Development, said. "Everything went fine, there were no suprises. The doctors didn't find any major damage and Tony could begin throwing in six to eight weeks."
Butler was having pain throughout spring training and the shoulder was not getting any better.
"This is great news and should be of some relief to Tony that there was no major damage there and he can return to pitching."
If Butler's rehab goes well, he could be pitching in a minor league game by the end of July or early in August.
In three minor league seasons, the 21-year-old Butler is 10-13, 4.07 in 41 career starts.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |












I though the was having problems last year,wonder why they didn't do this in the off season?
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I don't know when he began feeling pain, John. But many times if the trainers and docs feel it isn't a major injury they rehab it and don't do any surgery, arthroscopic or otherwise, until later. Rich Hill of the O's has an elbow strain right now and has had it since early last month. But no one is doing any procedures on that elbow.
Steve
The Bedard trade has worked out so well for us that even if Butler never gets a sniff of Baltimore, it will have been a big success. Adam Jones will be an All-Star before long. Sherrill already was. Perhaps Tillman will be too, one day.
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I completely agree. - Steve