News

Bryan Bullington, whose debut with the Pirates this past season was cut short by a right shoulder injury, will undergo surgery Monday to repair damage to his posterior labrum.

Bullington, the first overall pick in the 2002 draft, won't be able to begin a throwing program for two months, Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said Friday.

"We definitely think he'll be ready for spring training," Littlefield said.

The surgery will be performed by Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers team physician.

Bullington, 25, was scheduled to pitch this fall in the developmental Arizona Fall League, but he was scratched from his team's roster yesterday without throwing a pitch.

Bullington began the season on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis and ended it with a similar diagnosis. After being promoted from Class AAA Indianapolis in mid-September, Bullington pitched just once before his shoulder problems resurfaced. He was not used in the Pirates' final 13 games.

Littlefield said Bullington was examined by Pirates medical director Patrick DeMeo and given a magnetic resonance imaging test that revealed the posterior labrum damage in his shoulder. Bullington sought a second opinion from Meister.

"He was told to either get some rest or have the minor surgery," Littlefield said. "He opted to have the surgery now rather than maybe needing it later."

Littlefield said Bullington won't be cleared to resume throwing until December.

Bullington went 9-5 with a 3.38 ERA and one complete game in 18 starts with Indianapolis. The Pirates purchased his contract after Indianapolis was eliminated from the International League finals, and Bullington allowed two runs in 11/3 innings during his lone relief appearance Sept. 18 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Pitcher Shane Youman will replace Bullington on his AFL team. Youman was promoted from his team's taxi squad. He has appeared in three games, allowing six runs in 62/3 innings.

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News