Green Has Surgery, Should Be Ready by Spring

Right fielder Shawn Green underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair his damaged right shoulder and is expected to be ready to start spring training.

Team physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella cleaned out cartilage inside the back of Green’s shoulder during a 45-minute procedure at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Culver City, a team spokesman said.

The two-time All-Star began experiencing pain in spring training, and an MRI exam Aug. 19 revealed labrum damage and bursitis in his right shoulder. The labrum is cartilage around the bone.

Green began taking anti-inflammatory medication in the spring and followed an individualized exercise program in an effort to remain in the lineup. He received a cortisone injection Sept. 3, hoping to reduce pain and become more productive, in a failed attempt to help the Dodgers reach the playoffs.

The nine-year veteran reluctantly acknowledged that the injury affected his swing, contributing to his hitting only 19 home runs with 85 runs batted in after totaling 91 homers and 239 RBIs combined the previous two seasons.

Although he led the Dodgers in RBIs and set a Los Angeles franchise record with a career-high 49 doubles, Green’s significant drop in production was among the reasons the Dodgers scored fewer runs than the lowly Detroit Tigers. Green averaged more than 38 homers and 112 RBIs from 1998 to 2002.

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Frank McCourt’s transition team is scheduled to meet with the Dodgers today at Dodger Stadium, baseball executives said.

The Boston real estate developer, who has an agreement in principle to purchase the Dodgers from News Corp. for $430 million, is eager to take control of the club, which cannot happen until owners approve the transaction.

A vote on the sale is expected to occur in mid-November, but the commissioner’s office has granted McCourt permission to begin transition talks.

Corey Busch, McCourt’s point man in the process, will review the club’s operating plans for next season and discuss other issues with President Bob Graziano. Busch, who formerly worked for the San Francisco Giants, will hold a top management position in the reorganized front office, executives said.