Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli undergoes surgery for sleep apnea

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli had surgery on Tuesday to correct his sleep apnea.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli had surgery on Tuesday to correct his sleep apnea, the team announced.

The Associated Pressreports that Napoli will remain at Massachusetts General Hospital for several days in order to improve the flow of air through his airway. 

Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing repeatedly starts and stops while sleeping because of an obstructed airway. If left untreated, it can cause hypertension, stroke, or heart failure.

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In October, Napoli announced he would have the surgery and told WEEI.com that he's been dealing with the disorder his whole career. He said he tried numerous techniques to try to stop the sleep apnea over the years to no avail. 

The 33-year-old hit .248 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs in 119 games in 2014, and dealt with injuries to his finger, toe and back throughout the season. He walked a career-high 78 times and had a .370 on-base percentage, and his 17 home runs was his fewest total since hitting 10 in 2007. 

Napoli has one year left on the two-year contract he signed with Boston in 2013 and will make $16 million next season.

- Molly Geary