García has season-ending surgery, with 6-8 month timeline

WASHINGTON -- Phillies outfielder Adolis García had successful right latissimus dorsi repair surgery on Wednesday and is expected to return to full activity in six to eight months, the team announced.

The surgery was performed in Chicago by Dr. Anthony Romeo.

The surgery went well, interim manager Don Mattingly said pregame on Wednesday, and García will rehab at the team’s complex in Clearwater, Fla.

“I think he's in better spirits now,” Mattingly said. “Originally, he was pretty down because he knew he did something and was having to make the decision what he was going to do and it was pretty clear. I think he is going to recover. I think he did the right thing, get it taken care of right now, and give him the best chance to come back as a complete player again."

García left the Phillies-Blue Jays game on June 10 in the seventh inning after a throw to home plate. It proved to be the final play of his season, his first with the Phillies and one in which he had struggled offensively to that point.

The 33-year-old, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal in the offseason, hit just .195 with seven home runs and a .599 OPS in 67 games. But he had shown signs of a possible turnaround, having hit three homers in the week before the injury and was a big hit in the Phillies' clubhouse.

"He was very popular,” Mattingly said. “I think he was easy to be popular because he was a positive guy, played with a smile on his face. Just a professional from the standpoint of being ready to play every day. We miss the disco in there."

The offensive struggles didn't affect García's defense, however. Before the injury, he had four Outs Above Average, which was fourth-best in baseball among right fielders.