A Red Sox spokesperson says that veteran pitcher Tim Wakefield underwent successful back surgery Wednesday morning at Mass General Hospital.

The 43-year-old Wakefield had surgery to repair a herniated disc.

Wakefield went 11-5 with a 4.58 ERA this past season. He was named an American League All-Star after posting an 11-3 record with a 4.31 ERA, but struggled with the injury in the second half making just 4 starts in August, Spetember, and October going 0-2 with a 6.00 earned run average.

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has an interest in Wakefield coming back and said as much in his end-of-the-season press conference at Fenway Park.

“Wake is someone that is in our plans and we hope makes starts for us next year and is a member of the rotation."

 The Sox have a 4-million dollar option on Wakefield for the 2010 season.