Giants' Scutaro has career-threatening back surgery
GM Brian Sabean says it will be 4 to 6 months before doctors know whether infielder Marco Scutaro will be able to play again.
GIANTS INFIELDER Marco Scutaro underwent back surgery that could end his career, according to the team.
Giants general manager Brian Sabean announced during a conference call yesterday that Scutaro had the fusion procedure Friday in Miami to alleviate the troublesome area at level L-2/L-3 of his spine. It will be 4 to 6 months before doctors determine whether Scutaro can play baseball again.
Scutaro, 39, played in only five games in 2014 because of back problems, collecting one hit in 11 at-bats. He is signed through 2015 and is due to make $6.7 million next season.
In another matter, reliever Sergio Romo finalized a $15 million, 2-year contract with the team.
In other baseball news:
* The Pirates have won the rights to negotiate with South Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang and have a 30-day window to sign the 27-year-old, who hit .354 with 39 homers last season for the Nexen Heroes.
* Pitcher Phil Hughes reached agreement on a 3-year, $42 million guaranteed contract extension with the Twins.
Philly File
* Archbishop Wood running back Jarrett McClenton, who led the Vikings to their third PIAA title in 4 years, was named Class AAA Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Other Vikings on the first team are offensive lineman Ryan Bates and senior linebacker Jake Cooper. Other locals honored were Imhotep senior wideout D.J. Moore, Malvern Prep senior linebacker Trevor Morris and Malvern offensive lineman Hayden Mahoney.
* Delaware Valley receiver Rasheed Bailey was named ECAC Division III South Region Player of the Year, and Widener coach Mike Kelly was named Coach of the Year. Other first-team honorees from Del Val: quarterback Aaron Wilmer, running back Christ Smallwood, offensive lineman Rodney Linder, linebacker Rashaad Lighty and defensive back Danny Wynne. Other first-teamers from Widener: fullback Robert Getz, linebacker Brandon Harper, defensive back Sean Titus and defensive back Ameer Sorrell.
* Temple junior golfer Brandon Matthews won the 2014 Dixie Amateur, a prestigious amateur event in Coral Spring, Fla., by five strokes.