Orioles pitching prospect Dan Klein will have shoulder procedure on Monday

Right-hander Dan Klein, the Orioles' third-round draft pick in 2010 out of UCLA, will undergo another shoulder procedure and he will likely miss all of the 2012 season. The rotator interval closure procedure will be performed by shoulder specialist Dr. Craig Morgan this Monday, April 16, in Wilmington, Del. It is expected to tighten the area around the shoulder capsule. It is a very similar procedure that Dr. Morgan performed on Matt Hobgood on April 2. Hobgood is expected to miss all this season but said Dr. Morgan felt it was very reasonable for him to return by next March. This will be the third procedure on that right shoulder over the last few years for Klein. He had surgery last Aug. 16 to repair a tear in his right labrum and loosen his shoulder capsule. He had arthroscopic surgery and took a redshirt year at UCLA in 2009. Between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie last season, Klein went 3-1 with an impressive ERA of 1.11. Over 32 1/3 innings, he allowed 23 hits and issued just six walks with 37 strikeouts. Opposing batters hit just .197. He appeared to be on a fast track and was scheduled to be promoted to Triple-A last year and maybe later to the majors before he was shut down then. He is 4-1 with an ERA of 0.93 in 21 games in the O's minors starting in 2010 at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Klein was able to do some light throwing during camp in Sarasota, Fla., but when he extended the distance and velocity he began to feel discomfort, which led to his being shutdown and eventually to today's developments.