The two-time World Series champion is done for the season after having back surgery in Los Angeles.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino is out for the rest of the season and possibly longer following surgery in Los Angeles on Tuesday to fix two herniated disks in his back, according to ESPN Boston's Rob Rains.
The year-long series of back and hamstring injuries Victorino has suffered through have limited the 33-year-old to just 30 games, his lowest number in a single year since he became a starter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006. A key contributor to the 2013 World Series-winning squad, Victorino's prolonged absence played a major role in the Sox's abysmal season.
Making matters worse for Boston is that no one knows how long he'll be gone. Manager John Farrell is acutely aware of this fact, telling Rains, "From what I understand, there were two disks that required the procedure, and that's the extent of the information I have. We haven't received any prognosis on the next steps involved, how much rehab is going to go on or the overall time frame for his recovery."
Even with all the potential doom and gloom, Victorino isn't letting the uncertainty get to him. In fact, he flashed his trademark positivity (and hand gestures) in response to the situation on Twitter:
Let's do this. Ready for surgery to take care of the back. See you soon #RedSoxNation! #DoubleShakapic.twitter.com/mmHB1CtroD
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) August 5, 2014