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AP
Boston Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino bats during an exhibition baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Fort Myers
Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino will have back surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles, the team announced.
The procedure, which will be season-ending, will be performed by spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com.
Back surgery will be the latest 2014 setback for Victorino, a product of St. Anthony High School on Maui.
Victorino, 33, has battled hamstring and back injuries all season for the defending World Series champions, limiting him to just 30 games. He has been on the disabled list three times this season, the most recent coming Friday after he complained of continued tightness in his back.
An MRI indicated Victorino might need surgery, and Watkins’ second opinion confirmed that, according to ESPNBoston.com.
Victorino is the most decorated major leaguer Hawaii has ever produced. He is a two-time World Series champion, a two-time MLB All-Star, a two-time NL triples champion, a four-time Rawlings Gold Gloves Award winner. He also is tied with Jim Thome for the most postseason grand slams (2) in major-league history.
