Yes, that headline is correct. No, it’s nothing to be concerned about.  Just follow the advice of Mr. Chip Diller in the video above. But had the surgery been serious I’m sure the reaction of Mariners fans would be similar to the people in the video – panic in the streets, looting, rioting and general mass hysteria.

The Mariners sent out a release saying that the recently acquired Cliff Lee underwent minor surgery on his left foot on Friday (Feb. 5) to remove a bone spur that had broken free and was floating around in his foot. The floating spur was causing some irritation and discomfort in the joint and surrounding tissue.

“We decided Lee should have the surgery as soon as possible, rather than try to pitch with the discomfort during the year,” Zduriencik said in a press release. “To get it out of the way and have it behind us is important.”

The recovery is pretty simple. Lee won’t have to wear a cast, and he will be able to even put weight on the foot and continue doing upper body workouts. Over the next two to three weeks, he will slowly work himself back into baseball activities.

Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 17, just nine days from now. But Lee had already been working out well before this, so a little break early shouldn’t bother his preparation for the season. And it certainly is better than having it become a problem during the season.