Rangers reliever Mike Adams will undergo surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome on Oct. 18, keeping him out of action for roughly three months, Anthony Andro of Fox Sports Southwest reported Friday.
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a disorder affecting upper extremities, resulting from a compression of the artery running over the first rib and under the clavicle. It is an injury common among athletes who use a repeated overhand throwing motion -- i.e., pitchers (and sometimes swimmers). Adams, 34, pitched 52 1/3 innings this season primarily as the Rangers' eighth-inning man. He had an ERA of 3.27 as opposed to the 1.47 in 72 2/3 innings the previous year for the Padres and Rangers in helping Texas win its second consecutive AL pennant.
Matt Harrison underwent the same surgery in July 2009 and returned in time to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. Chris Carpenter underwent the surgery in July of this season and has made a big impact for the Cardinals already. Carpenter returned earlier than is typical. But with the offseason coming up for Adams and the Rangers, it would appear he should be ready to go in time for spring training.
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