Tyson Ross started for the Padres on Opening Day in 2016 -- and then missed the remainder of the campaign because of right shoulder inflammation. Now, his status for Opening Day next year appears to be in question.
Ross underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome on Thursday, Padres manager Andy Green confirmed. The surgery, which is the same procedure Mets righty Matt Harvey underwent earlier this year, included the removal of a rib to relieve pressure. Ross' recovery time is slated for four to six months, and the club remains hopeful he'll return to full health before next season begins.
The 29-year-old right-hander, who is entering his final year before free agency, owns a 3.16 ERA and 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings since joining the Padres in 2013.
This past season is one Ross would like to quickly forget. It was littered with setbacks in his recovery, some of which seemed downright flukish.
While preparing to throw his first live batting practice session in July, Ross stepped on a medicine ball in his hotel room and twisted his left ankle, setting his recovery back by about a month. When he finally built enough shoulder strength to make a rehab start in late August, Ross complained of further shoulder discomfort after lasting just 2/3 of an inning in a start for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore.
After that, Ross was mostly limited to playing light catch. He has spent the past few weeks flying around the country for further medical opinions and will have his surgery performed by Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis.