Sexson to seek second opinion after doctor recommends surgery

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Arizona Diamondbacks' doctor recommended season-ending surgery on slugger Richie Sexson's injured left shoulder.

Dr. Michael Lee made the comment in a statement released by the team Monday night after he examined the first baseman. Lee said the partially torn labrum won't be able to heal on its own this season, although there were no new injuries to the shoulder.

Lee also recommended a second opinion. Sexson is set to be examined next Tuesday or Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala.

Sexson would need up to six months to recover from the operation.

"His season's over most likely," manager Bob Brenly said Tuesday. "But, there's always that chance out of left field that he could come back. Dr. Andrews is as thorough as any doctor, and we'll get a better idea as soon as he performs the surgery."

Shoulder surgery would force Richie Sexson to miss the rest of the season.(AP)

Sexson reaggravated the injury on a check swing Saturday against Florida and was placed back on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. He was originally hurt while checking his swing on April 28, partially tearing the labrum and bruising the top of the arm bone.

Sexson, who returned to Phoenix from Florida on Sunday, sat out 19 games before returning to play Friday. He did not join the team in San Francisco, where the Diamondbacks are playing a three-game series against their division rival.

"My recommendation is to lean toward surgical intervention to repair the labrum and get Richie on the road to recovery sooner than later," Lee said.

The Diamondbacks sent six players to the Milwaukee Brewers in a nine-player deal that brought Sexson to Arizona in the offseason to provide some much-needed power in the lineup. Before his injury, Sexson had played in 1,642 consecutive innings, dating to 2002.

Sexson is in the final year of his contract.

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