MLB teams
Gordon Edes, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Shane Victorino back on DL

MLB, Boston Red Sox

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager John Farrell did not rule out a lengthy shutdown or possible surgery for right fielder Shane Victorino, who on Friday was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season because of lower back and hamstring issues.

"We're awaiting the results of the MRI that he went through here today,'' Farrell said. "Still some low back tightness the other night. Pending the results of the MRI, it will give us some definitive source of action going forward."

The MRI results indicated that Victorino could face back surgery, so he will travel to Los Angeles to visit with specialist Dr. Robert Watkins for a second opinion. Then it will be determined whether Victorino will need surgery or just rehab.

"It wasn't the news we wanted," Victorino said. "Some of the things that were shown [in the MRI] were a little more than what we had hoped for, at least I had hoped for, but obviously being out there and not being able to go and having those things hamper me, I knew something was wrong. I don't mind playing through pain, I don't mind playing through an injury, but the continuation of it happening was the thing that was worrisome for me.

"The other night when I felt it, I felt it was something that woke me up a little bit. It was kind of sharp and sudden when it happened and we obviously found out why with what the MRI revealed, so to go get another opinion from Dr. Watkins is important for me to get that next view of things and we'll have an idea of what's going to happen. I hope it's not going to be as serious."

Victorino has battled back and hamstring injuries the last couple of years, and this season he's been limited to 30 games. He recently returned to the lineup, but was removed from Wednesday's game when he felt a sharp pain in his back.

"I want to know what's going on," he said. "Any time you get news you don't want to hear, you obviously want to see what's going to happen. For me, it's never good but it's all part of it. I tried to play through it. I tried to do the best I can, the training staff did the best they could to get me back out there, but things were showing [with the MRI] that there might be some things that we didn't want to see. We'll go from there."

Victorino already had missed 71 of the team's first 108 games. The 33-year-old Gold Glove defender has only started 28 games. He has posted a .268/.303/.382 slash line in limited action, hitting two home runs and stealing two bases.

ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald contributed to this report.

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