Boone activated five months after heart surgery
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Houston Astros infielder Aaron Boone was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday five months after undergoing open heart surgery.
The 36-year-old, who had surgery on March 26 to correct a defect, joined the team last weekend in Arizona after playing 11 games in a minor league rehabilitation assignment.
"What Aaron has accomplished is amazing," Astros general manager Ed Wade told the team's official website (http://houston.astros.mlb.com).
"He was determined to make this happen and it's an honor for us to have been part of his return to action. His work ethic and love of the game are inspiring."
Boone told a news conference in March he would need surgery to correct a condition that developed while he was a student at the University of Southern California.
Subsequent tests indicated an acceleration in his condition, prompting the decision to operate. The procedure included an aortic valve replacement.
"I don't know what to expect, but I know I'll be prepared to play," Boone told reporters this week. "I'm just looking forward to being back and being part of the team."
Boone, who signed with Houston as a free agent, has a .264 career average with 126 home runs and 505 RBIs after playing 1,142 games in the majors.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by John Mehaffey)
