BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates expect to have Kip Wells in the rotation by the All-Star break after his operation to correct a blocked artery.
Wells had surgery Monday in St. Louis, where doctors
transplanted a vein from his leg to replace the damaged part of the
axillary artery in the right armpit.
The axillary is the primary blood vessel from the heart to the
upper extremities, and Wells' artery had been completely blocked,
causing his arm and hand to feel tired at times during the past two
months.
General manager Dave Littlefield said Tuesday that Wells will spend two to three days in St. Louis to rest and return home to Houston for an unspecified stay. In four to six weeks, Wells can
begin rehabilitation to strengthen his arm.
The All-Star break is July 10-12, meaning Wells will miss half
the season or less.
"Considering all things, I think it is a good result,"
Littlefield said.
The 28-year-old right-hander was expected to be an important
part of the rotation despite going 8-18 with a 5.09 ERA last
season. He led the team with 182 innings and missed one start in
2005.
"It seems like it's worked out, and that's great for Kip and
our whole team," pitcher Ryan Vogelsong said. "He's such a big
part of what we do."
Wells is the most experienced member of a staff that has Oliver Perez, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm -- all 24 or younger -- as its only
confirmed starters. Others vying for starting duty are Vogelsong,
Victor Santos, Ian Snell, Brandon Duckworth and, if deemed healthy
after reconstructive elbow surgery, Sean Burnett.