OAKLAND -- A's outfielder Sam Fuld will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery next month, with plans for a repair of the rotator cuff and the capsule of the shoulder joint, he told MLB.com on Friday.
Manager Bob Melvin confirmed the surgery, which is scheduled for May 18 with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
"I knew there was significant damage in there and I knew it was a possibility," Fuld said. "I obviously wanted to try to avoid doing it and treat it conservatively, but it just wasn't progressing and unfortunately this was the best decision. It's tough to come to grips with that obviously, because that's the whole season."
Fuld's rehab will likely take him into 2017, as well, with at least a year's recovery ahead of him, he said. The 34-year-old will be a free agent at season's end.
"Hopefully it minimizes the impact of the 2017 season, and hopefully I can come back with full health, but of course it's frustrating," he said. "It's never fun to be hurt, but I was excited to have a good year this year and bounce back from what I deemed a poor year the year before."
Fuld, who hurt his shoulder March 20 while throwing home during an exhibition game, played in 120 games for the A's last year, logging 325 plate appearances and batting .197 with a .276 on-base percentage in that span. He's a .227 career hitter in parts of eight big league seasons but extremely valuable in the field, where he can play all three outfield positions with above-average defense.
Worth Noting
• Third baseman Danny Valencia (left hamstring strain) is progressing extremely well, said Melvin, who noted Friday, "I don't have much doubt he'll be ready once the 15 days are up." Valencia is eligible to return May 6.
• Right-hander Henderson Alvarez is scheduled to make his next rehab start Saturday with Class-A Advanced Stockton. He'll throw four innings, or up to 60 pitches.