Tim Wakefield Scheduled for Back Surgery

Tim Wakefield will finally get the herniated disc that plagued his 2009 season fixed on Wednesday when the knuckleballer undergoes surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, The Boston Globe reports.

Wakefield, 43, had his first All-Star season slowed by the disc following the All-Star break. The devastating injury left the Red Sox with a depleted starting rotation and left Wakefield with weakness and a limp in his left leg. After spending a month on the disabled list, Wakefield managed to pitch four more starts before being shut down and left off the postseason roster.

The Red Sox have until five days after the World Series to decide whether or not that they will pick up Wakefield's annual option of $4 million. General manager Theo Epstein has already indicated that the Red Sox plan on picking up the option, so long as there are no complications with the surgery.

If the surgery is successful, Wakefield is expected to be ready in time for spring training.