Luvofthegame
09-15-2006, 11:49 PM
Cards lefty doesn't expect to start 2007 season on time
By Matthew Leach
MLB.com
9/15/06
Mark Mulder returned to the Cardinals' clubhouse on Friday, three days after undergoing surgery on his left rotator cuff. Mulder, donning a sling on his repaired shoulder, acknowledged that he's no longer likely to start the 2007 regular season on time.
"Since it was a little bit more of a procedure than I think we anticipated, it wasn't just a cleanup, I think that kind of automatically makes [the recovery time] a little longer," Mulder said.
"That's kind of my opinion of it. I don't think there's any way to be ready for day one of the season."
That's a disappointing turn for the left-hander, who had expected to be able to go through his regular offseason throwing program. However, when Drs. David Altchek and George Paletta performed the arthroscopic procedure on Tuesday, they realized that a repair of Mulder's rotator cuff, rather than a "cleaning up," would be required.
The difference should add roughly a month to Mulder's rehabilitation time.
"I don't think it was that they had to do more," Mulder said. "They just didn't know exactly how they were going to approach it, I think ... whether they were going to clean it up or whether they were going to repair it."
Mulder started the 2006 season strong for the Cardinals, but faded in May and June as a shoulder injury kept him from getting full arm extension on his pitches. He was placed on the disabled list for the first time on June 22, choosing to try a non-surgical rehabilitation.
Upon his return, he struggled mightily in two starts before being shut down. At that time, surgery was recommended, and Mulder went under the knife on Tuesday in New York.
"Obviously nothing is good when you go in there," he said. "But as far as how the surgery went, the repair and everything, the tissue was good. They didn't put it this way, but the way I kind of took it, I should be as good as new when I start to get better. That, to me, is the most important thing."
In addition to his availability, surgery will likely affect Mulder's marketability. He is a free agent for the first time this winter. Still, Mulder said he has yet to ponder what the procedure may mean for his offseason decision-making process.
"I haven't given that one single thought, nor do I really care," he said.
Mulder expects to remain in St. Louis for the remainder of the season. He likely will not accompany the team on road trips, with the exception of a possible World Series trip.
By Matthew Leach
MLB.com
9/15/06
Mark Mulder returned to the Cardinals' clubhouse on Friday, three days after undergoing surgery on his left rotator cuff. Mulder, donning a sling on his repaired shoulder, acknowledged that he's no longer likely to start the 2007 regular season on time.
"Since it was a little bit more of a procedure than I think we anticipated, it wasn't just a cleanup, I think that kind of automatically makes [the recovery time] a little longer," Mulder said.
"That's kind of my opinion of it. I don't think there's any way to be ready for day one of the season."
That's a disappointing turn for the left-hander, who had expected to be able to go through his regular offseason throwing program. However, when Drs. David Altchek and George Paletta performed the arthroscopic procedure on Tuesday, they realized that a repair of Mulder's rotator cuff, rather than a "cleaning up," would be required.
The difference should add roughly a month to Mulder's rehabilitation time.
"I don't think it was that they had to do more," Mulder said. "They just didn't know exactly how they were going to approach it, I think ... whether they were going to clean it up or whether they were going to repair it."
Mulder started the 2006 season strong for the Cardinals, but faded in May and June as a shoulder injury kept him from getting full arm extension on his pitches. He was placed on the disabled list for the first time on June 22, choosing to try a non-surgical rehabilitation.
Upon his return, he struggled mightily in two starts before being shut down. At that time, surgery was recommended, and Mulder went under the knife on Tuesday in New York.
"Obviously nothing is good when you go in there," he said. "But as far as how the surgery went, the repair and everything, the tissue was good. They didn't put it this way, but the way I kind of took it, I should be as good as new when I start to get better. That, to me, is the most important thing."
In addition to his availability, surgery will likely affect Mulder's marketability. He is a free agent for the first time this winter. Still, Mulder said he has yet to ponder what the procedure may mean for his offseason decision-making process.
"I haven't given that one single thought, nor do I really care," he said.
Mulder expects to remain in St. Louis for the remainder of the season. He likely will not accompany the team on road trips, with the exception of a possible World Series trip.