The Indians outfielder is expected to be out eight to 12 months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Friday.
"I feel so bad for him," manager Terry Francona said, via Cleveland.com. "He's such a good kid. I don't have any doubt — he'll come back from this. He's not a pitcher. It's just missing the developmental time. The Indians outfielder is expected to be out eight to 12 months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Friday.
Zimmer was sent down to the minors based on his struggles at the plate early on this season. He played just 34 games with the Tribe and had a .226/.281/.330 slash line. He made two rehab starts in Double-A Akron where he went 1-3 with two walks in two games.
Zimmer has struggled with his health all season, an issue that has plagued his brothers’ MLB career as a pitcher in the Royals system. The hope is that Zimmer will not be bothered continually by injuries like his brother. We’ve seen that when he is healthy that Zimmer can be one of the most talented defensive outfielders in baseball.
This injury along with Lonnie being out for several months further emphasizes the Indians need to trade for an outfielder at the deadline. The Tribe outfield is still productive given Naquin’s good play but they need more depth alongside All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley.
The team announced the news on Saturday, noting that the procedure was to repair a torn labrum.
Zimmer hurt his shoulder while taking batting practice for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on June 11.
There's still plenty of time for Zimmer to show why he was a first-round pick. Unfortunately for him, his quest to establish himself as a major leaguer has been put on hold as he now has to rehab from shoulder surgery, an injury that not only ends his season, but will affect him going into 2019 as well.
