Adam Wainwright, Cardinals Ace, Needs Tommy John Surgery

Filed under: Cardinals, MLB Injuries

Ace Adam Wainwright will need Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals announced Thursday. The pitcher, who finished second in NL Cy Young voting last year and third in 2009, felt a tug in his right elbow while throwing batting practice on Monday.

He returned to St. Louis on Wednesday for examination, and it was there that the Cardinals' worst fear was realized -- Wainwright has a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and will need it replaced.

Both Dr. George Paletta, the team's head physician, and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum recommended Tommy John surgery for Wainwright, which typically carries with it a 12-18 month timetable for recovery and rehab.

"It's not a real surprise to us this morning, but certainly a disappointment and a finality to this process." Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told reporters in Jupiter, Fla.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/24/adam-wainwright-cardinals-ace-needs-tommy-john-surgery/

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