Wakefield's surgery is a success

Tim Wakefield, who spent the entire season limping because of a loose fragment in his lower back, underwent successful surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday. Wakefield's herniated disc was repaired and the fragment removed, making the right-hander to have a productive offseason. The 43-year-old Wakefield stated late in the season that he decides to play at least one more year.

According to a Red Sox spokesperson, Wakefield (in red sox jersey) can start his rehab immediately, and he should be fully recovered before the start of Spring Training. "Wake is someone that is in our plans, and we hope he makes starts for us next year and is a member of the rotation," general manager Theo Epstein said the day after the Red Sox were eliminated from the ALDS. "We haven't sat down and finalized anything. Obviously, we want to see how the surgery goes, and then both sides will sit down and talk."