The verdict is in.
According to Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com, Adam LaRoche will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday.
The decision to go ahead with surgery was made during a meeting with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, manager Jim Riggleman, trainer Lee Kuntz and team doctor Wiemi Douoguih prior to tonight’s game against the Cardinals. He is expected to be 100 percent for spring training next season.
LaRoche was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder during spring training. The 31-year-old first baseman attempted to play through the discomfort, but batted just .172/.288/.258 with two home runs and a .546 OPS over his first 177 plate appearances prior to going on the disabled list last month. He was put on a multi-week rehab plan as a last-ditch effort to avoid surgery, but his shoulder hasn’t responded as hoped.
The Nationals signed LaRoche during the offseason to a two-year, $16 million contract with a mutual option for 2013. He is owed $8 million in 2012.