Sunday, September 7, 2008

Cardinals closer Isringhausen to undergo surgery

ST. LOUIS -- Jason Isringhausen, twice demoted from the St. Louis Cardinals' closer role last month before landing on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain, will have season-ending surgery next week.

Isringhausen

The move was announced on the team's medical report.

When Isringhausen was placed on the DL on Aug. 20 with a partially torn tendon and elbow tendinitis, the Cardinals said he likely would miss the rest of the year. The 35-year-old is scheduled for surgery next Friday.

Isringhausen has 293 career saves and has said he would like to play next season, although it might be for another team since he'll be a free agent. He has been with St. Louis for six seasons, and was 12-for-19 in save chances with a 1-5 record and 5.70 ERA this year.

Isringhausen appeared a lock to reach 300 saves this season after going 32-for-34 last season, a big rebound after missing the Cardinals' World Series run in 2006 after undergoing hip surgery. But he had only one save since May 5, and was removed as the closer in early August after briefly regaining his spot, when hard-throwing rookie right-hander Chris Perez was recalled from Triple-A Memphis.

A second pitcher, rookie left-hander Jaime Garcia, was scheduled for reconstructive elbow surgery on Monday. Outfielder Joe Mather underwent surgery on his left hand on Thursday.




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