Earlier this morning I wrote about Nick Cafardo's column from the Boston Globe that mentioned J.D. Drew underwent surgery on his left shoulder last week to alleviate inflammation he suffered with after the All-Star break. The Red Sox have an out-clause based on the pre-existing condition in Drew's right shoulder, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts, but because the the surgery was on his left shoulder, the clause doesn't come into play.
Boston may opt out of the final two season's of Drew's control if he spends 35 days on the disabled with injuries related to the right shoulder condition or if he finishes next season on the disabled list and can't play the outfield in 2011.
Drew, 34, signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox in January of 2007. He batted .279/.392/.522 with 24 homers and 68 RBI in 452 at-bats last season. Among major league outfielders, only Ryan Braun and teammate Jason Bay were better than Drew's .914 OPS.
He is owed $28 million over the next two seasons, but the recent procedure on his left shoulder shouldn't prevent him from being ready for the start of spring training.
JD Drew's contract has a club injury opt-out clause. No wonder he treats ballpark fences like they're wired to 10,000 volts with no circuit breakers. Drew's inspired flights of cowardice make Bobby Abreu seem like William Wallace.