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Sox: Westmoreland surgery ‘successful’ 03.16.10 at 7:50 pm ET
By Alex Speier

The Red Sox issued the following release about the surgical procedure performed on 19-year-old Ryan Westmoreland to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain:

“According to the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, Red Sox minor league outfielder Ryan Westmoreland today underwent successful surgery to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain. Dr. Robert Spetzler performed the surgery. The announcement was made by General Manager Theo Epstein. Following the five-hour procedure, Westmoreland remains in the intensive care unit but has come through the surgery well. Due to the complexity of this surgery, Ryan will face a difficult period initially before beginning his recovery.”

ESPN.com reported that it will be a few days before a prognosis for Westmoreland’s recovery will be available.

Even so, the initial report following the surgery was promising, given the potential for far worse outcomes. The procedure carried risks of either brain damage or, in some instances, death (according to ESPN.com’s reports).

Against those concerns, the Sox were treating the news as highly encouraging. Manager Terry Francona was contacted by GM Theo Epstein after the procedure, and the report the Sox skipper received was highly promising.

“It sounds like very encouraging news,” said Sox manager Terry Francona. “We’re obviously thrilled about that, and thankful.”

Yet even with the news that the surgery appears to have been a success, the idea that the 19-year-old faces a “difficult period” in his recovery could not be dismissed. Westmoreland’s teammates expressed caution in their assessments of the procedure, noting that the outcome will be measured not by a return to the baseball field, but instead by the Rhode Island native’s quality of life.

“I got a text from his good friend saying that surgery couldn’t have gone better,” said minor league first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who considers Westmoreland a good friend, and had sent the outfielder texts in recent days. “If everything was successful – which it is – it’s a long road back. … I don’t know what his process back will be, but it’s a long way back.”

While around his minor league teammates and before he was sent on a medical leave from the club on March 4, Westmoreland had remained in excellent spirits, even as he was dealing with the symptoms of his condition. The way in which he handled the situation further underscored to Westmoreland’s teammate that there are far greater concerns than the outfielder’s baseball future.

“He’s such an unbelievable person, on and off the field. He’s such a great talent. He deserves to live a great life. Hopefully he’ll come out of all of this in the best way,” said Sox prospect Ryan Kalish, who befriended Westmoreland this offseason. “It’s just a shame to see what’s happened. It’s uplifting that his surgery went well, but we’ll see where it goes.

“Really, it’s not about baseball right now. It’s about the quality of life. If he comes out of this and plays baseball, it will be an amazing story. But as long as he comes out of this, whatever he does, it will be a success.”

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  • KJH & Family

    God Bless Ryan Westmoreland and his family as the work their way through this.

  • mikey c

    Get well Ryan.
    Sending prayers

  • Yazlives

    First of all, It always saddens me to hear of any illness that might strike down a young person especailly one who is just starting life…However, we need to get a grip, the amount of time focused on somebody most of don’t know personally is troubling, Would the Westmoreland Family take to the blogs and net to wish you or your families well? The answer is no. Why? Because they don’t know you and you don’t know them, our fascination with celebrity is astounding…Focus on your own families, if you don’t have a family help a charity, do something real and stop living through the celebrity of others..Again, It is tragic to hear about a youngster seriously ill, but channel your energies to family and your communities…

  • Peter Hamilton

    Interesting comments from one who choses to call himself “Yazlives”

  • Yazlives

    Whatever Peter…I am baseball fan, and Yaz was my boyhood idol, but I didn’t run to his bedside when he had heart surgery…lets be honest, even the Westmoreland Family asked for privacy…

  • Mirny Barnes

    Dr. Spetzler was the brain surgeon who saved my life after I had a brain aneurysm that suddenly ruptured 5 years ago, he is a great surgeon! This young man Ryan was and is definately in good hands at Barrow, I’m sure he will recover successfully:)

  • Richard Gottlieb

    Our get well wishes go out to Portsmouth High School’s star player hope you are doing well you are in our prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery.
    Richard Gottlieb and Portsmouth School Committee Member Marjorie Levesque.

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