Mookie Betts will have to wait until Thursday to find out if he will be named MVP in the American League. But the Red Sox right fielder couldn't put off knee surgery any longer.

Betts hoped his balky right knee would heal with rest. When his symptoms persisted, he elected arthroscopic surgery, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told ESPN on Friday.

The procedure was performed Thursday at Massachusetts General Hospital by team orthopedist Dr. Peter Asnis. Betts is expected to be ready for spring training and possibly even the World Baseball Classic if he chooses, the team said.