Shoulder Surgery Goes Well for Fick

Former Cal State Northridge All-American catcher Robert Fick of the Detroit Tigers underwent successful surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left shoulder Thursday and is recuperating at home in Thousand Oaks.

Fick had experienced pain since spring training but tried to rehabilitate the injury at the Tigers’ extended spring training site in Lakeland, Fla. Magnetic resonance images did not reveal the tear, which was discovered during surgery by Dr. Ronald Glousman.

“When I got on the field and took swings, it was killing me,” Fick said. “Once the doctor got in there, he said it was worse than he thought.”

Fick, who hit three home runs in 22 major league at-bats last season after an all-star campaign in double-A, believes he can recuperate in time to play in September.

“I’ll work hard and come back quick,” he said. “They told me I’d be playing in 3 1/2 months. I think I’ll be playing this season.”