Mulder may have tests on shoulder

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder might have additional tests on his surgically repaired left shoulder after struggling in all three starts this month.

Trainer Barry Weinberg said Monday that an MRI exam could be scheduled for Mulder, who was to be examined later in the day by St. Louis team physician Dr. George Paletta. Mulder, 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA, experienced discomfort during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

"We'll have the doctor look at him today and make a plan from there," Weinberg said.

The Cardinals also said outfielder Chris Duncan, who hasn't played much this month due to a sports hernia, is scheduled for an operation Thursday. Duncan batted .259 with 21 homers and 70 RBIs in 127 games.

Mulder said after Sunday's start that he was unable to get his arm high enough to finish his pitches. He worked three innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.

"We don't know whether mechanics are causing the discomfort or the discomfort is causing the mechanics," Weinberg said.

Mulder threw two scoreless innings Sunday before the Cubs batted around in the third and scored all four of their runs.

"I have more strength, more adrenaline in the first, which makes it look better. It's not," Mulder said. "It doesn't feel any different to me. It's not that I get tired. It's just that my arm doesn't ever get up to where it needs to be. I feel that from the first pitch on."

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has frequently stressed the importance of Mulder pitching before the end of the season.

"The idea was to get him back so he felt good, then he could use the winter to get everything back to 100 percent," La Russa said. "He's going out there without all his weapons."

-- AP