Marshall needs second shoulder surgery

CINCINNATI -- Reds left-handed reliever Sean Marshall's efforts to come back from shoulder surgery took a terrible turn when it was revealed he will need another season-ending operation in the same shoulder.

Marshall is scheduled to have surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek will perform the procedure.

"I feel bad for Sean," Reds manager Bryan Price said Saturday. "He's worked so hard to try and work his way through this recurring shoulder issue. It's been a challenge for some time now."

Shoulder injuries have limited Marshall to 31 games since 2013, but he has not pitched at all this season after having surgery June 24 to repair a torn labrum. He also endured shoulder tendinitis in 2013.

Marshall, 32, led the Majors with 231 appearances over a three-season span from 2010-12. He was acquired by Cincinnati from the Cubs on Dec. 23, 2011, in a deal that sent three players to the Cubs, including left-handed starting pitcher Travis Wood. Before he threw a pitch for the Reds, the club signed Marshall to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension through the 2015 season. He is making $6.5 million this year.

In 2012, Marshall had a 2.51 ERA in a team-leading 73 appearances.

"He was such a big part of our 2012 team, not just from a physical and performance standpoint but from a leadership standpoint in our bullpen, which is an area we would love to strengthen," Price said. "So it's a huge blow for our team. We're a way better team with a healthy Sean Marshall."

Marshall spent all of Spring Training and this season rehabilitating from his 2014 surgery and the latest issue seemed to catch everyone by surprise. For Price, it reminded him of starting pitcher Homer Bailey, who had season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow May 8 only two starts after returning from flexor mass tendon surgery near the same elbow.

"You're doing everything you're supposed to do in rehab, so you would never suspect an injury could happen," Price said. "In Sean's case, he was doing a shoulder rehab after surgery and injured the shoulder again. They were both following very precise protocols. Neither guy was rushed. It's impossible to explain."

Dr. Tim Kremchek is the Reds' medical director and main orthopedic surgeon who performed Marshall's first operation. Altchek has more experience in the type of surgery Marshall will have Wednesday.

"It's probably the fact that this guy has done this particular surgery a bit more, is my understanding," Price said. "There is nothing against Dr. Kremchek. He's been a very reliable surgeon for the Reds and other Major League teams and professional athletes for a long, long time. This is no reflection on Tim at all."