Belcher Will Undergo Shoulder Surgery Tuesday

Dodger pitcher Tim Belcher will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday.

If the surgery at Centinela Hospital Medical Center is successful, Belcher is expected be ready for 1991 spring training. If a more serious problem is found, Belcher might require more extensive surgery.

“A good share of his surgery is to diagnose his condition,” said Dr. Frank Jobe, Dodger medical director.

“We expect it to be something that we can correct with arthroscopy, and we will certainly do that. If we find something worse, well, we’ll show Tim the pictures and go from there.”

Belcher has been on the disabled list since Aug. 18 because of shoulder tendinitis. In 24 starts, he was 9-9 with a 4.00 earned-run average. “Having already lost the remainder of this season, I certainly don’t want to jeopardize any of the 1991 year,” Belcher said in a statement. “If something is wrong and needs to be fixed or simply cleaned up, this procedure will hopefully get that done well in advance of next season.”