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Richards' surgery goes as expected

OAKLAND -- Angels starter Garrett Richards had surgery to repair a torn left patella tendon at Orthopaedic Specialty Institute in Orange, Calif., on Friday. The procedure, which comes with a six- to nine-month recovery, went "as they expected" and doctors were "very happy with the repair," manager Mike Scioscia said.

But the fact that it actually took place is obviously a crushing blow to a first-place Angels team with World Series aspirations. And don't bother with the narrative that this setback will "galvanize" the Angels and prompt everyone else to "step up" in the wake of Richards' absence.

Scioscia "doesn't see any silver lining" in Richards' season-ending injury. His Angels may persevere through this, but it won't be as a result of it.

"I don't know if there's anything positive that's going to come out of it," Scioscia said, rather candidly, when asked if the loss of Richards can bring the team together.

"There's a chemistry that's starting to form, especially in the clubhouse, that's very real and tangible. I think guys are motivated, even if Garrett was here, to prove they can play at a certain level. Not having Garrett here, I just don't see it changing that. We're a pretty close-knit team right now. Maybe some of the guys feel that way, but I don't know if I sense that."

Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Gonzo and "The Show", and follow him on Twitter @Alden_Gonzalez.
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