According to JapanBall.com, Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will have endoscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from his right elbow this week. The surgery will take place in Los Angeles, perhaps by Dr. Lewis Yocum.
It’s a two-month recovery period, and originally there was a concern that the injury would prevent Fukudome accruing the service time needed to reach free agency after the season. However, a new rule will still allow free agency.
In talking to Mike Plugh in May, I learned that Fukudome is a fine right fielder with gap power. Plugh suggested Fukudome might command $12-15MM over three or four years. Fukudome’s main competition among free agent right fielders will probably be Jermaine Dye. Whether Bobby Abreu will hit the market this winter is still an open question.
