By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland had surgery on his right shoulder Thursday afternoon to repair a torn labrum. He will be out 4-6 months and should be able to return to game action in May.

Red Sox team physician Dr. Thomas Gill performed the procedure in Boston and told Westmoreland's father, Ron, that it went great. Ryan is at home resting comfortably, according to his dad.

While Gill was performing the surgery, he also found a few minor issues in the shoulder and "tightened it up."

Boston selected the Portsmouth native with its fifth-round pick (172nd overall) in last June's draft. The outfielder had been playing instructional ball in the Dominican Republic recently until the decision was made for him to have the surgery.

"It was a minor procedure to go in there and clean it up," explained Red Sox director of amateur scouting Jason McLeod. "It will slow him a little bit, as far as spring training goes. He won't be able to play in games during the spring, but we think we have identified the problem. Now he just has to rehab and work it out. Hopefully he'll come back strong and be ready for next summer."

After the Red Sox signed him to a five-year deal with $2 million last August, he was scheduled to participate in instructional league for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. But he was shut down due to shoulder issues.

He began rehab and was sent to the Dominican instructional league this winter with six other Sox draftees. He went 10-for-15 with two triples, a double and home run in four games.

"He was phenomenal," McLeod said. "He swung the bat exceptional well. . . This is bittersweet for us, because you get so excited when you hear the reports coming back. Everyone was excited what he was doing offensively, but obviously we want to get him back at full strength. Our goal is to make sure he's healthy first."

Unfortunately, Westmoreland's shoulder was still bothering him, so the Red Sox thought it best to shut him down. He returned to Boston where he underwent strength tests last Friday. Gill's recommendation was to have the surgery.

Westmoreland is scheduled to begin his rehab on Monday and will spend the month of December in Fort Myers. He should be able to start swinging prior to the four-month mark, and begin throwing soon after.

After the Red Sox drafted him, Westmoreland played in the Bay State Games and, according to McLeod, had a "fantastic" summer.

"It really seemed like Ryan took off," said McLeod. "Every time we have sent someone to see him, not only has he performed, the reports coming back on his approach, the swings he's been taking and he driving the ball. Everything just clicked over the summer."

Westmoreland finally inked a deal with the Red Sox on Aug. 16. The Red Sox organization, including manager Terry Francona, think very highly of the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder both on and off the field.

"He's been a lot of fun to watch," said McLeod. "He's the All-American kid. He's a tremendous athlete and a very good student. He's so well mannered and so well spoken. He's a kid we are very excited about."