Christian Vazquez’s 2015 season likely is over before it started.
The Boston Red Sox announced Wednesday that Vazquez will undergo Tommy John surgery on his injured right elbow. Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure Thursday in Pensacola, Fla.
There’s no timetable for Vazquez’s return at this point, but recovery from Tommy John surgery for a catcher typically takes roughly nine months. That obviously would end the 24-year-old backstop’s season.
Vazquez initially suffered the elbow injury on a throw to second base during the Red Sox’s Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees on March 13. The Red Sox placed him on the 60-day disabled list Monday.
Ryan Hanigan is expected to be the Red Sox’s starting catcher in Vazquez’s absence. Sandy Leon, whom the Red Sox acquired from the Washington Nationals on Monday, or Humberto Quintero likely will serve as Boston’s backup.
Thumbnail photo via Elise Amendola/The Associated Press
