Ryan

Westmoreland

Westmoreland will be limited to DHing during his time in the Dominican, but the news represents yet another significant step for the recovering 21-year-old. He underwent a major surgical procedure last year to remove a cavernous malformation on his brain stem.

Westmoreland underwent a major surgical procedure to remove a cavernous malformation on his brain stem in April of 2010. He had been slowly taking steps in his recovery since then, even participating in the Dominican Instructional League over this past off-season. While this recent surgery will set him back, the important thing is that surgery was successful. The 22-year-old outfielder has already endured countless hardships and obstacles in his career, but still remains determined and focused to achieve his dream of playing in the major leagues.

“With a clear mind and heart, as well as the unwavering support and friendship of my family, friends, agent(s), doctors, therapists and the Boston Red Sox, I have decided to voluntarily retire as a professional baseball player,” Westmoreland wrote in an email Wednesday. The promising outfield prospect underwent surgery to remove a cavernous malformation from his brain stem in March 2010 and hasn’t been able to fully recover.

Westmoreland, 19, suffered the injury Friday night and won’t play again this season. He hit .296 with a .401 on-base percentage, seven home runs, 38 runs scored, 35 RBI and 19 steals this year at the Single-A level.

Early reports suggest he may have suffered a broken collarbone. Westmoreland, 19, has hit .296 this season with seven home runs, a .401 on-base percentage, 38 runs scored, 35 RBI and 19 steals at the Single-A level. The minor league club ends their season in September. Some sort of winter ball could be in the cards if the injury isn’t terribly serious.

The procedure was deemed a success. Westmoreland, 19, is expected to be ready for full physical activity by early October and should be fine for the start of spring training. He hit .296 with 15 doubles, 3 triples, 7 homers, 35 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .401 on-base percentage in 60 games this season with Single-A Lowell.

The good news comes from Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen, who added that Westmoreland is “doing his full strength and conditioning program at this point.” The 19-year-old prospect suffered a broken collarbone while crashing into a wall in August and underwent surgery in September. He batted .296/.401/.484 this past season with seven homers, 35 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 60 games for Single-A Lowell and is expected to open the 2010 season at Single-A Greenville.

Westmoreland suffered the injury making a dramatic catch in August and underwent surgery in September. He should be ready for the start of spring training. “He’s doing great,” said Red Sox director of player development, Mike Hazen. “He has no pain and his range of motion is back 100 percent. Everything went really well and we have no concerns right now physically.” The 19-year-old outfielder batted .296/.401/.484 with seven homers, 35 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 60 games for Single-A Lowell before suffering the injury. He was recently named the organization’s top prospect by Baseball Prospectus. The 2008 fifth-round pick should begin next season with Single-A Greenville.

The team released a statement earlier this evening, which said in part:"Following the five-hour procedure, Westmoreland remains in the intensive care unit but has come through the surgery well. Due to the complexity of this surgery, Ryan will face a difficult period initially before beginning his recovery.” Westmoreland was recently diagnosed with a cavernous malformation of the brain earlier this month, a potentially life-threatening condition.

A source in the organization tells Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston that the surgery “went well,” although a complete prognosis will not be known for a few days. Westmoreland, 19, was recently diagnosed with a cavernous malformation of the brain, a potentially life-threatening condition. The condition was discovered after he began experiencing headaches and exhibiting other neurological symptoms, including numbness. To speculate on his status as a baseball player would be frivolous. Let’s just hope the kid is okay.