Mulder scheduled for another operation

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder, who struggled in three September starts coming back from rotator cuff surgery, will undergo another operation that will end his already abbreviated season.

Results of an MRI exam Tuesday revealed only partial healing of the rotator cuff, while the labrum was completely healed, the team said in a release late Wednesday night.

Dr. David Altcheck, the New York Mets team physician who performed the surgery on Mulder last September, and Dr. George Paletta, the Cardinals' team physician, both recommended arthroscopic surgery.

Paletta will do the second surgery, scheduled for Monday in St. Louis.

Mulder underwent the MRI and a nerve condition study after complaining of discomfort. He was 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA in three starts this month and lasted three innings Sunday against the Cubs, allowing four runs and seven hits.

After that start, Mulder said he was unable to get his arm high enough to finish his pitches.

Mulder won 16 games in 2005, his first season with the Cardinals. He battled shoulder problems last year, spending 85 days on the 15-day disabled list and going 6-7 with a 7.14 ERA before undergoing surgery Sept. 12.

-- The Associated Press