ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit is expected to miss at least half the 2009 season following surgery to repair a torn right rotator cuff.
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The operation on Benoit's pitching shoulder was performed Tuesday in Cincinnati by Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds' medical director.
Benoit has been a key member of Texas' bullpen the past few years, but shoulder problems plagued him most of last season. In 44 appearances, he was 3-2 with a 5.00 ERA - his highest mark since 2004 when he made 15 starts.
The 32-year-old Benoit was shut down for part of last season with shoulder fatigue and eventually went on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. He is 30-26 with a 4.79 ERA and eight saves in 273 career appearances, including 55 starts.
"Joaquin was affected most of last season, and it didn't allow him to perform to his abilities," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement Wednesday. "He attempted to rehab the injury this offseason. He worked hard, but the results weren't there."
Texas went through a similar sequence with right-handed starter Eric Hurley. A first-round pick by the Rangers in 2004, Hurley made his major league debut and four other starts last year before shoulder soreness sidelined him. He had an injection in August and tried rehabilitation through December before finally having surgery on the rotator cuff last week.
