Giants' Pagan to undergo season-ending back surgery
The San Francisco Giants will be without center fielder Angel Pagan as they contend for their third World Series championship in the last five seasons, as the 33-year-old is set to undergo season-ending back surgery, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Pagan sidelined about three months. Bochy: "There was no sense in trying. This (back injury) wasn't going to work."
— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) September 24, 2014
Pagan's playing time has been limited this month due to discomfort in his back, the result of a bulging disc and inflamed nerve. Though a recent MRI on Pagan's back "came back clean," the Giants decided Tuesday to opt for surgical intervention, effectively ending Pagan's season.
Persistent injury problems have plagued Pagan for the last two seasons, as he has appeared in just 167 games since the beginning of the 2013 campaign. Pagan's absence constitutes a significant blow to the Giants, as the veteran hit .300/.342/.389 (110 OPS+) with 26 extra-base hits and 16 stolen bases in 96 games this season.