yes like mentioned below if the pain was due to an impingement or bursitis and a subacromial decompression was performed then yes it will take a while for the Wikipedia reference-linkrotator cuffs to gain strength and the surrounding muscles to recover therfore limiting activity and exercise to closed chained and auto assisted ex`s in the early few few weeks at waist level progressing gradually. with the correct rehab he should be able to play again. if it was a impingement or bursitis was the primary problem that would have to be adressed first decreasing his chances of getting it again so postural re-education is vital here!!

but for a definative answer we would require the name of the procedure and the reason for it.

Thanks