Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed has elected to undergo surgery on his ailing right shoulder, manager Torey Lovullo informed reporters (including Theo Mackie of Arizona Central). Lovullo expressed hope Ahmed would be able to return at some point this season.
That the veteran infielder will go under the knife isn’t particularly surprising. He’d headed for a consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, and the team already placed him on the 60-day injured list last week. That combination of factors seemed to hint at a forthcoming procedure, and that’ll indeed come to pass. That Lovullo isn’t ruling out a possible late-season return would seem to indicate it’s not quite as invasive a surgery as some other players have undergone, but any kind of shoulder procedure is obviously notable.
Ahmed’s shoulder has given him problems dating back to 2020. He played through the issue for most of last season but eventually landed on the IL during the final week of the year. Ahmed was still bothered this spring, receiving a pair of cortisone injections and missing the first 15 days of the regular season. He returned to appear in 17 games before being diagnosed with COVID-19, and the shoulder issues again arose during his rehab process.
The 32-year-old is under contract through 2023 under the terms of an extension he signed in February 2020. He’s making $7.875MM this season and will receive a $10.375MM salary next year. The surgery all but rules out the possibility of the D-Backs finding a trade partner for him before this summer’s deadline.
With Ahmed out, the D-Backs have leaned on Geraldo Perdomo as their primary shortstop. The 22-year-old has long been viewed by evaluators as one of the better prospects in the system, and Arizona figures to give him everyday run for the bulk or all of the season with Ahmed out of action. Perdomo, a switch-hitter, owns a .214/.328/.286 line through 181 trips to the plate this year.
Wish Ahmed well with this surgery. I don’t think he figures in the Dbacks present or future plans, except as trade bait. That was hopefully going to be at this year’s trade deadline, but that’s not happening, so I think during the off-season or at next year’s trade deadline.
Bad day for UCONN baseball….
Looks like Perdomo will hold down SS for the next few years until Lawler is ready. D-backs have a young roster and several major league ready guys poised for arrival. Just wish Ahmed could have brought back a high upside flyer at the deadline.
Diamandbacks anorher bad medical opion, Ahmed lost 2 years to shoulder hurt.
Apparently it was Ahmed who put off getting surgery to try other options.