varvaro.JPG
Antny.JPG Islander Anthony Varvaro to be sidelined for six months. (AP)
(Associated Press)
The mystery of Anthony Varvaro's rocky season start with the Red Sox is solved.
The normally dependable 30-year-old Island right-hander, who was waived by Boston in late April after just nine appearances, has a torn flexor tendon in his pitching arm.
He will undergo surgery Tuesday at Manhattan's Hospital for Special Surgery and be lost for the season.
Mets surgeon, Dr. David Altchek, will perform the operation.
The rehabilitation time is expected to be six months, which would have the six-year big leaguer ready to throw again in November.
But it might have been much worse.
"I was worried I might need another Tommy John surgery," Varvaro said Saturday from his West Brighton home. "That's not the case. This is the best possible outcome."
Varvaro had the more invasive Tommy John surgery in 2005 while still pitching at St. John's University. And just prior to being taken in the 12th round of that year's amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners.
A second such operation could have laid him up through both the 2015 and 2016 season.
"The tendon is partially torn off the bone, but the elbow is stable otherwise," explained the Curtis High School product, who will be placed on the Red Sox 60-day disabled list. "I'll begin my rehab here on the Island and then go to the team's camp in Florida."
Boston's spring training base is in Fort Myers, Fl.
There were several confusing days for the Islander, who was claimed by the Chicago Cubs on May 3 after being released by Boston.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder joined the Cubs in St. Louis as a member of the team's 25-man roster.
But he never played.
After throwing in the Chicago bullpen he was designated for assignment once again, cleared waivers, and was shipped to the team's Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa.
Instead of reporting immediately to Des Moines, Varvaro was sent to Chicago for tests on his throwing arm.
An MRI revealed what was described as "a significant tear."
Then the question became which organization was responsible for Varvaro's 2015 salary of $576,000 and the medical costs involved in his surgery and rehab.
The Red Sox brought Varvaro to Boston for more tests on Friday and accepted responsibility going forward.
In November, the Red Sox will have the option of tendering Varvaro another contract offer or allowing the Islander to become a free agent.
Varvaro's lifetime numbers include a 7-9 record, 3.23 ERA and 1.279 WHIP in 183.2 innings and 166 appearances.
His best years were 2013-14, when he combined for a 6-4 overall record with the Atlanta Braves and a 2.74 ERA in 121 relief appearances.
"My goal right now is to get the surgery and work at getting better," he said. "By November, I want to be on a mound and pitching at some level."