ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays closer Troy Percival will have back surgery on Tuesday.
Percival, who was bothered by a recurring back problem during the second half of the 2008 season, is expected to be ready for Opening Day if all goes well with the surgery and rehabilitation process. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Robert Watkins in California.
"We're hopeful that this surgery will allow Troy to pitch pain-free next season and return to the form we saw in the first half of 2008," said Andrew Friedman, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations. "We believe his various ailments in 2008 were a direct result of his back issues, so we expect he will be back to anchor our bullpen in 2009."
Percival, 39, is signed to a $4 million contract with the Rays through the 2009 season. The veteran right-hander led the Rays with 28 saves in '08 despite three stints on the disabled list.
Percival's injuries kept him off the Rays' postseason roster for the entire playoffs.
When Percival was unable to pitch, the Rays relied on a bullpen-by-committee approach, with Dan Wheeler assuming most of the closing duties. However, Rays manager Joe Maddon has said on many occasions that he is comfortable with several of his relievers pitching late in the game or closing. Prominent in that group of relievers are J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour, Wheeler and Chad Bradford.
