Cards' closer undergoes surgery

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen, hampered the second half of the season by a shoulder injury, had arthroscopic surgery Thursday that could limit his availability early next season.

Team physician Dr. George Paletta classified the operation as a "cleanup" of the shoulder. During the procedure, a small tear was discovered in the labrum, which lines the shoulder socket, but Paletta said the rotator cuff was sound.

Isringhausen had 32 saves and a 2.48 ERA for the NL Central champions. But down the stretch he was unable to pitch on consecutive days, it took him longer to get loosened up in the bullpen and he couldn't warm up multiple times during a game.

Isringhausen also was sidelined twice during the season's second half.

The one-hour operation was similar to that on late Cardinals starter Darryl Kile after last season. Kile was behind other pitchers a week or two in spring training, but because Isringhausen does his work an inning at a time there shouldn't be as big of a gap, the Cardinals believe.

-- AP