Pablo Sandoval has season-ending shoulder surgery

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Pablo Sandoval is seen during a spring training game.Tony Gutierrez

CHICAGO — Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval will not play again this season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on Tuesday.

At his clinic in Florida, Dr. James Andrews repaired a labrum tear and informed the Red Sox that Sandoval would not be ready to play for at least six months.

"We anticipate him being ready to go for next spring training," said president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who spoke to Sandoval. "Pablo's happy that they've been able to fix the problem, and committed to get ready for next year."

Sandoval throws with his right hand and it remains unclear how he injured his left shoulder.

"He had [labrum issues] in his shoulder, like most players do," Dombrowski said. "They saw that a couple of years ago when they signed him. The Giants [Sandoval's former team] tried to sign him at that time, so it was not any thought process that this could develop. I don't really know what happened."

Manager John Farrell pointed to a diving stop Sandoval made in Toronto on April 9.

"Whether the impact there created or moved along the injury, that's a possibility," Farrell said. "But in conversations with him, there was not one event that he could recall."

However it happened, Sandoval told the team on April 13 that he woke up with shoulder pain and was immediately placed on the disabled list. Sandoval had an MRI a day later and went to see Andrews for a second opinion on April 18. At that time, there was too much inflammation for a diagnosis.

When Sandoval returned two weeks later, surgery was recommended.

Sandoval's girlfriend is expecting a baby in two weeks, so for now he will remain in Boston. Once the baby arrives, Dombrowski said the Sox plan to send Sandoval to Florida for the remainder of the season for his rehabilitation.

"We haven't decided if it'll be the Miami area where he lives or the Fort Myers area or a combination of the two," Dombrowski said.

Sandoval reported to spring training in what appeared to be poor condition, although Dombrowski, Farrell and even principal owner John Henry, who also owns the Globe, claimed that was not the case.

Since going on the disabled list, Sandoval has lost some weight and the surgery could afford him the opportunity to get in better shape.

"I'm not going to give specific weights, but he has already dropped weight during the season once he's been under our care on a daily basis," Dombrowski said. "I think he's committed to doing that, and we're committed to doing that. We'll have a very thorough program to address a lot of different issues between now and the next spring training."

The Red Sox won't necessarily have one person assigned to Sandoval.

"I can't say all times," Dombrowski said. "I don't even know the exact date he can start his rehab. We'll have our eyes on him on a continual basis."

Sandoval, 29, is in the second season of a five-year $95 million contract. He has hit .242 with a .651 OPS in 129 games. Sandoval was 0 for 6 with four strikeouts this season and played only 11 innings in the field before going on the disabled list.

The long-term plan for Sandoval isn't clear.

"Get him healthy first then we'll go from there," Dombrowski said.

"Everybody keeps asking about 2017, what are you going do when David [Ortiz] retires? My response even at that point is, 'Let's go through 2016 and then we'll worry about that in the winter time.' "

Said Farrell: "More than anything, some direction for Pablo. Hopefully in time a resolution to the injury and he's back to a healthy and productive player . . . We'll work with him to make sure he takes advantage of the time."

Decision coming

Lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez had a solid outing for Triple A Pawtucket. Pitching at Lehigh Valley, Rodriguez allowed three runs on five hits over six innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

Rodriguez, who threw 58 of 84 pitches for strikes, gave up three runs on three hits in the first inning. He retired 16 of the final 18 batters he faced.

The Sox could have Rodriguez make another minor league rehab start on Sunday. He is returning from a right knee injury.

Joe Kelly, on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, threw in the bullpen on Tuesday and is set to start at Pawtucket on Friday against Rochester.

Kelly will need at least two rehab starts, Farrell said.

Taking a look

Dombrowski said the Red Sox would have a scout in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Friday to watch free-agent righthander Tim Lincecum pitch.

Lincecum, 31, appeared in only 15 games for the San Francisco Giants last season because of a hip injury that required surgery.

Lincecum was 69-42 with a 2.98 ERA from 2007-11, twice winning the Cy Young Award and making four All-Star teams. He is 39-42 with a 4.68 ERA since.

Starters’ shift

The White Sox changed their rotation for the series. Lefthander Carlos Rondon starts Wednesday with righthander Erik Johnson coming up from Triple A Charlotte to start on Thursday.

Lefthander John Danks, who is 0-4 with a 7.25 ERA, will be designated for assignment. The White Sox will take a $14.25 million hit with that move.

The Red Sox had been planning to start Chris Young in all three games had Chicago been throwing lefties.

Improved odds

According to the online gambling site Bovada, the Red Sox are 12-1 to win the World Series after opening the season 14-1. They are now 5-1 favorites to win the AL pennant . . . Righthander reliever Carson Smith was officially activated off the disabled list and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh . . . Steve Lyons is in the NESN booth for this road trip, replacing Jerry Remy. On Twitter, Remy wrote he was feeling fine. "At home, new schedule," he posted . . . The Sox will host a "Walk In The Park" at Fenway Park on Mother's Day on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Moms also can take a free tour of the park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fans can walk the warning track, sit in the dugouts and take photos with the World Series trophies behind the plate. The free event includes activities for children.