It appears that the oft-injured Devin Mesoraco underwent yet another surgery yesterday. This surgery was to repair the labrum in his right hip; if you’ll recall, it was the left hip that caused all the problems last year.
Mesoraco was already out for the season after he had surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. This latest procedure was performed in New York by hip specialist Dr. Bryan Kelly, who also repaired the torn labrum in his left hip in June 2015.
The procedure was considered a preventative operation. After Mesoraco had successful surgery on the left hip last year, it was noticed that his right hip was starting to show signs of having similar issues.
“We did not want him to have symptoms and problems with his right hip, say the middle of next year or the end of next year or the beginning of next year,” Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said. “[Kelly] said there was a 100 percent chance that at some point in his career that this was going to end up bothering him and he’d end up needing surgery.”
After his breakout All-Star campaign in 2014, Mesoraco has been able to make just 18 starts in two seasons. It’s really a sad story, and we’ll be examining what the future holds for Mesoraco in the next couple of weeks here at RN. I’m not particularly optimistic that Mesoraco will ever be able to be a full-time catcher again, but I hope I’m wrong. Dr. Kremchek thinks Mesoraco will be able to return as a backstop:
Kremchek felt optimistic about Mesoraco's future to catch. Said repairs will make him "more athletic," w/ "less stress on his body." #reds
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) July 18, 2016
Our guy Steve also seems optimistic. You’ll remember that Steve did a great deep dive on Mesoraco’s hip problems and his chances for recovery (you should really go read that piece; it’s outstanding).
Devin Mesoraco's hip surgeries don't concern me as much as his shoulder labrum surgery. The 2nd hip surgery was likely a precaution.
— Steve Mancuso (@spmancuso) July 18, 2016
With Mesoraco out the rest of the year anyhow, clean up the second hip when it doesn't impact his playing time. Shoulder recovery is key.
— Steve Mancuso (@spmancuso) July 18, 2016
As I suspected, 2nd hip surgery was more preventive than anything. Avoids mid-season surgery on 2nd hip. https://t.co/S5el2IKkvs
— Steve Mancuso (@spmancuso) July 18, 2016
Fingers are crossed for Mesoraco here at Redleg Nation World Headquarters. His health — and where he’s playing in the field — will be the number one storyline to watch during next year’s spring training.