Cardinals closer Motte will have Tommy John surgery this week

MILWAUKEE -- St. Louis right-hander Jason Motte will have season-ending Tommy John surgery this week.

The Cardinals reliever was placed on the disabled list on March 29, and eventually diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow. He had been rehabbing and playing catch in an effort to avoid surgery.

However, he had discomfort during a throwing session and it was decided that Motte would have the ligament replacement surgery.

Motte emerged as the Cardinals' closer late in the 2011 season, throwing eight scoreless innings with four saves against Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the NLDS and NLCS, respectively before going 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA during the World Series.

-- Associated Press