CLEVELAND — Infielder Jeff Keppinger will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Thursday, manager Robin Ventura said Tuesday.
Keppinger has dealt with a sore shoulder since spring training. It has affected his throwing more than his hitting, Ventura said.
The Sox signed Keppinger to a three-year, $12 million contract as a free agent last offseason. He fell short of the production the Sox expected for that price, batting .253 with four homers, 13 doubles and 40 RBI. He walked only 20 times and had on-base percentage of .283.
Keppinger, who is not with the team for it’s two-game series against the Indians, will have surgery in Chicago.
“If something’s in there, he’ll get it fixed now rather than late,” Ventura said.
“It [bothered him] off and on. It wasn’t continuous where he couldn’t use it. Hitting-wise he was fine, but any time you put him out there in the field for an extended period of time it would start to creep up on him. Clean it up, and make sure he’s ready to go in spring training.”
Also, left-hander David Purcey has a left ulnar collateral ligament strain. As of now, surgery is not required and Purcey is expected to heal with rest.
