Projo Sox Blog

Outfielder Jonathan Van Every's rough, up and down season is about to hit a major down patch. Van Every will have exploratory surgery next week to repair what is believed to be a torn meniscus in his left knee.

If it is the meniscus, then the recovery period should not be too drastic, roughly a month, with some more time to regain full strength and flexibility. Shortstop Julio Lugo had the surgery in spring training, and was back in action within five weeks.

If it is found to be something more serious, the recovery period could be much longer.

"If it's the meniscus stuff, it's not that long. It's the same thing Lugo had. We don't think it's going to be that long, but it's something he's got to get taken care of," said Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson.

Van Every said he did not feel comfortable speaking about the details of the surgery, and would say only that it is tentatively scheduled for sometime next week.

Van Every has been dealing with the knee problem for some time. He was placed on the disabled list effective May 30 after spraining the knee in game action. He returned June 9, but quickly aggravated the injury. Following that re-injury Van Every went to Boston recently to see team doctor Thomas Gill, and he will now see Gill again regarding the surgery.

Van Every, 29, has had a roller-coaster year so far, spraining his right ankle in spring training and missing most of March and April. His first day back with Pawtucket, he hit a game-tying, ninth-inning grand slam to key a dramatic PawSox victory. He was then called up to Boston in place of Rocco Baldelli, and Van Every played well, hitting .364 with a home run and three RBI in 11 at-bats. He even pitched a scoreless inning during a blowout against Tampa Bay, becoming the first position player in five years to pitch for the Red Sox.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi Jonathan Van Every Pawtucket Red Sox Ron Johnson

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