Jones undergoes back procedure to alleviate pain

CHICAGO -- Nate Jones underwent a successful microdiscectomy procedure Monday at Rush University Medical Center, with general manager Rick Hahn adding that the doctors found what they expected in doing the surgery.

The right-handed reliever was bothered by glute pain at the start of Spring Training, which was further diagnosed as hip pain. Monday's surgery doesn't necessarily mean that Jones won't return this year.

"Everything went very smoothly and very well," said Hahn of Jones, who did not retire any of the five batters he faced this season. "We'll re-evaluate in a month.

"After a month, it's conceivable we'll ramp up baseball activities and he can return soon thereafter as tolerated by the baseball activities. At that point, it's more about getting him into pitching shape than dealing with the back. We'll see in a month and come up with a timeframe then."