Pirates righty Jeff Karstens had shoulder surgery on Friday, which involved debridement of his rotator cuff and labrum, tweets Tom Singer of MLB.com. The recovery period is 10-12 weeks, at which point Karstens could begin a throwing program. The Pirates had transferred Karstens to the 60-day DL on May 27th.
Karstens, 30, will be eligible for free agency after the season. Last year for the Bucs, he posted a 3.97 ERA in 90 2/3 innings, making 15 starts and four relief appearances. He was non-tendered after the injury-plagued season, but re-signed for $2.5MM in January (down $600K from his 2012 salary). Karstens recently switched agents, leaving Moye Sports Associates for All Bases Covered Sports Management. With his 2013 season in question, a one-year deal seems likely for 2014, perhaps of the minor league variety.
