After suffering through shoulder discomfort for the past few days, Texas Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock has decided to have surgery following the weekend.
Blalock was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects the nerves that pass through the shoulder into the neck. The operation will remove a rib on the right side of his upper chest.
The two-time All-Star was batting .285 with five homers and 16 RBIs this season, but is now looking at missing three months of baseball.
In Blalock's absence, the club called up Travis Metcalf from the AA Frisco Rough Riders. Ramon Vasquez started for Blalock on Friday, but Metcalf is the better man for the job and will hold down that corner on a regular basis.
[CBS Sportsline] | [Lone Star Ball]
