Elbow pain forces Cardinals to shut down Furcal

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal has experienced a setback in his recovery from a torn elbow ligament and is discontinuing baseball activities while the team determines the next steps.

The pain in Furcal's right elbow has persisted around the ligament and from a bone spur in the joint, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Sunday.

"It kind of went in a bad direction," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told the Post-Dispatch. "I don't know the severity of it, but it's not good news. ... He's done quite a bit of rehab and to go backward isn't a good sign."

An MRI on Friday indicated inflammation in the ligament, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told the newspaper. The team will seek a second opinion on Furcal's condition, likely from Dr. James Andrews.

Possible treatment options include surgery or rest. Surgery normally requires a four- to six-month recovery that would imperil Furcal's season.

With Furcal out, the Cardinals' options at short include Pete Kozma and Ronny Cedeno.