The all-star shortstop underwent surgery on Monday to repair a split tendon in his wrist -- an injury that has sidelined him for all of spring training.
In a statement Garciaparra said the operation, which could keep him out of the BoSox lineup for up to four months, was "the best solution for me to get back to playing as soon as possible."
According to Red Sox team physician Dr. Bill Morgan, Garciaparra's wrist will be immobilized for four to six weeks, and will need four to six weeks of rehabilitation afterward.
Nomar Garciaparra underwent surgery on right wrist and could be sidelined for up to four months. (CP PHOTO)
Morgan said the surgery went "quite well", but made no assurances that the right wrist would ever be as strong as it was before the injury.
"It's obvious that he's more vulnerable than prior to ever being injured. He had a fair amount of injury and a fair amount of surgery."
The injury dates back to late in the 1999 season, when he was hit by a pitch from Baltimore's Al Reyes.
The injury caused the tendon, and the canal encasing it, to swell and made throwing and hitting uncomfortable. Despite the pain Garciaparra played with the injury last season.
But the shortstop's wrist progressively got worst during spring training, and one day he woke up in a lot of pain.
"I'd never felt it at this point, ever," he said last week.
Not wanting to miss the better part of the season, Garciaparra had spent the last week mulling over his options, trying to decide if continued rest would allow the injury to heal.
Garciaparra, winner of the last two American League batting titles, played through the injury last season and batted .372 with 21 homers and 96 RBI.
