Report: Westmoreland Surgery Successful

Alex Speier, WEEI:

The Red Sox issued the following release about the surgical procedure performed on 19-year-old Ryan Westmoreland to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain:

According to the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, Red Sox minor league outfielder Ryan Westmoreland today underwent successful surgery to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain. Dr. Robert Spetzler performed the surgery. The announcement was made by General Manager Theo Epstein. 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.

ESPN.com reported that it will be a few days before a prognosis for Westmoreland's recovery will be available. ...

"I got a text from his good friend saying that surgery couldn't have gone better," said minor league first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who considers Westmoreland a good friend, and had sent the outfielder texts in recent days. "If everything was successful – which it is – it's a long road back. ... I don't know what his process back will be, but it's a long way back."

Anthony DiComo, MLB.com:

Fellow prospect Anthony Rizzo, who underwent chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease in 2008 ... said that his own medical troubles paled in comparison with those of Westmoreland.

"Before my first chemotherapy, I was more scared than I've ever been in my life," Rizzo said. "I was being strong for my family, but I couldn't imagine what he was going through with the surgery and all the things that could happen."