Arm surgery a success for Cardinals' Wainwright

JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright had Tommy John surgery on his right arm Monday and the team said he would be out 12 to 15 months.

General manager John Mozeliak said the surgery went "very well" and that Wainwright is expected to return to the Cardinals spring training facility in a couple of weeks. The surgery was performed by team physician, George Paletta.

Wainwright, the 2010 National League Cy Young award runner-up, felt stiffness after throwing his first live batting practice session a week ago. A second opinion confirmed the need for tendon reconstruction surgery.

Wainwright was 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA last season while making his first All-Star team. In 2009, Wainwright led the NL in wins (19), innings (233) and starts (34).