Surgery Shelves Bushart Until Next Season

Cal State Northridge junior left-hander John Bushart, a 24th-round pick of the Angels, was released Wednesday from Valley Presbyterian Hospital after surgery on his left shoulder.

Bushart said he is not expected to be able to throw at top speed until February or March.

During the two-hour operation, Dr. Ron Glaussman tightened the ligaments in Bushart’s shoulder. Originally, an arthroscopic procedure was planned, but the damage required an incision.

Bushart believes the Angels are still interested in signing him despite his injury. He said he will speak to Dale Sutherland, the scout who drafted him, this week. Bushart is leaning toward signing rather than returning for his final season at Northridge.

“I’m 22, and I’m ready to start my pro career,” Bushart said.

Northridge Coach Bill Kernen agrees with Bushart’s desires.

“You always want to have a left-handed pitcher, but at this point my concern is what’s best for him, regardless of us,” Kernen said. “If the time frame (for rehabilitation) is eight to 10 months, it’s in his best interest to sign, that way the Angels can supervise his rehabilitation.”

Bushart, a 1989 Thousand Oaks High graduate, used his redshirt season in 1991 because of similar pain in his shoulder. In three seasons at Northridge, he is 19-7 with a 4.85 earned-run average and 15 complete games. This season, he was the staff ace until his shoulder began to hurt in early April. He continued to pitch despite the pain, finishing with a 10-4 mark and a 4.38 ERA.

“It’s good to get it over with,” said Bushart, who is confined to a tightly wrapped shoulder harness. “I want to get going strengthening it.”