Bauer Undergoes Surgery

Defender Dylan Bauer successfully underwent a surgical procedure today to repair a shoulder injury sustained in late January.

The procedure was said to be arthroscopic, lasting approximately two hours. The initial injury was a dislocation of the left shoulder resulting in tearing and fracturing a bone fragment. The surgery was performed to repair the ligament damage and remove the bone fragment.

Doctors anticipate Bauer to be out 6 to 8 weeks, but based on the relatively low invasion of the surgery and how well rehabilitation goes, that recovery time may be closer to 4 weeks. That would of course mean the left back is still likely to play a majority of the NJSL season, but for his own well-being and impending future with the United States Navy, Bauer will not rush back to the pitch.

Bauer was unavailable for comment while still recovering from this morning's procedure, but brother Russell Bauer confirmed that everything went accordingly.

"We're going to do everything to make sure Dylan comes back on the safest conditions so as not to take any risk of re-injury. We don't want to see him rush his rehab, and when he returns it will be in a limited role and his arm will be heavily supported by traction taping," said the latter Bauer, who is also the team's Sports Injury Consultant.

"From a footballing point of view, the first few weeks are going to be tough for us on the pitch as we look to fill a big hole left by this injury. Dylan is an animal at left back and we don't have a wealth of depth at that position. Some players will likely need to be moved around or play positions they aren't familiar with to fill this gap," said the captain.

Bauer tapped co-captain Randao to be a likely fill-in when asked who may start at left back come March 29.

"It will depend on who shows up to preseason, who's in what kind of form, and what Mr. Clayton ultimately decides to do."