ST. PETERSBURG -- Steven Souza Jr. will have season-ending surgery on Wednesday to correct a lingering left hip problem.
Souza did not travel home with the team from Baltimore on Sunday; rather, he took a detour to see a specialist in Nashville, Tenn. After that consultation, Souza texted that he would be having the surgery on Wednesday and that his season is over. But he added that he expects to be ready to go by Spring Training.
Souza went on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip strain on June 16. Although he has continued to play since being reinstated July 2, the injury has continued to nag him.
Although he has been playing well lately (he had seven hits in 15 at-bats against the Orioles over the weekend), Souza wanted to have the problem examined so that if he did need to have the procedure, he could be ready for Spring Training.
Souza has described the pain as affecting him like a "stinger" type injury, where he temporarily felt numbing pain when his hip got irritated. Several times during the just-completed 11-game road trip, Souza came up favoring his hip.
Souza finished his second season with the Rays with a .247 batting average, 17 home runs and 49 RBIs.
The Rays have not announced whether they will enlist the services of any of their Minor League personnel in the aftermath of losing Souza.
The other outfielders they have include Kevin Kiermaier, Corey Dickerson, Mikie Mahtook, and Jaff Decker. Brad Miller could see some time in the outfield, but with Nick Franklin nursing a left hamstring strain, they will likely opt to keep Miller in the infield.