During the 2 1/2-hour procedure at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, surgeons Harry Van Loveren and Thomas Saul removed an enlarged disk that was causing compression of the nerve root of his C-5 vertebra.
The compression was giving Larkin spasms in his left neck and shoulder area and restricted his movement. He couldn't get down to field ground balls at shortstop and couldn't lift his left arm above his shoulder. The surgery is expected to correct the problem.
''The prognosis is good, and relieving the compression on the nerve will increase the strength and mobility in his left shoulder,'' said Reds Medical Director Tim Kremchek. ''I see no reason why he should not be able to return to full playing ability.''
Larkin was to spend the night at Good Samaritan and return to his Cincinnati home today. He begins rehabilitation Monday at Icelands' Sports Medicine Facility in Cincinnati.
Loveren and Saul, two of the nation's leading neurosurgeons, said ''we will start him with light rehabilitation over the next three to four weeks. Our goal is having Barry playing for the Reds in four to six weeks.''
Larkin's problem has been developing over time, but it first began to bother him Feb. 28. He played in only two spring training games, going 2-for-7 with a home run.
The Reds placed Larkin on the 15-day disabled list Friday and put injured pitcher Keith Glauber on the 60-day DL. Glauber had surgery in October to repair his right rotator cuff.
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