Apr 24th 2008 1:27PM by Tom Fornelli
When you talked to MLB scouts this spring about what it would take for the Seattle Mariners to overtake the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West this season, to a man they all said just about the same thing. “Oh, it’s totally on Mike Morse’s shoulders. If Mike Morse doesn’t carry this offense all by himself throughout the season, the team has no chance. I mean, Ichiro can only do so much, you know?”

Well the sky is falling, Seattle, because reserve infielder Mike Morse’s shoulders just couldn’t handle the load, and he’s done for the season.Morse on Tuesday underwent what was termed “shoulder reconstruction” to repair a torn labrum in his dislocated left shoulder, suffered on the April 13 dive.

Surgery was performed by Dr. Edward Khalfayan, the Mariners’ medical director. Khalfayan said the surgery “went well,” according to a team release.While Morse didn’t sign a release to let the Mariners talk about his injury, it’s safe to say he’s not going to be back anytime soon. Generally the surgery he had requires a six-month rehab, and Morse probably isn’t going to be able to swing a bat for at least four months.

Tis a dark, dark day in Seattle.