Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly will undergo surgery on Wednesday to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. The procedure involves the removal of a rib in order to alleviate pressure on the nerves in the shoulder area.
General Manager Mike Hazen said Kelly could begin playing catch eight weeks after surgery, putting him in position to have a relatively normal offseason and report to spring training in good health.
Hazen said the team’s medical staff is hopeful Kelly will make a full recovery, and Hazen did not make it sound like the procedure will adversely affect the Diamondbacks’ forthcoming decision on the $4.