Napoli to undergo facial surgery for sleep disorder

Boston Red Sox slugger Mike Napoli is hoping an offseason procedure to correct his sleep apnea condition will help put to rest his struggles at the plate.

Napoli said he will undergo facial-reconstruction surgery next month to address his longtime battle with the sleep disorder, described by the Mayo Cinic as a condition that interrupts breathing and results in tiredness despite a full night's sleep.

"I've been dealing with sleep apnea for a long time, my whole career," Napoli told WEEI.com in a text message Monday. "I've tried numerous things and none of them worked. Dental mouth piece, CPAP machine, medicines ... It's just gotten to the point where I have to get this done."

The surgery is intended to alleviate congestion in Napoli's jaw area that's obstructing his airway. 

ESPN Boston with additional details:

The procedure, called bimaxillary advancement surgery, separates the front portions of the lower and upper jaw and moves them forward to allow more room behind the tongue, reducing the chances of obstruction.

Various injuries - including to his toe, finger and back - slowed Napoli to his fewest home runs, RBIs and lowest slugging percentage since 2007. The 32-year-old first baseman said he doesn't expect to go under the knife for any other ailments this offseason.

Napoli is under contract with the Red Sox for $16 million in 2015, the second of a two-year deal signed last winter.