Report: Cardinals' Garcia won't need shoulder surgery
St. Louis left-hander Jaime Garcia won't return to the roster even if the Cardinals reach the World Series.
That's the bad news he received after visiting orthopedist James Andrews. The good news is that Garcia won't need to have his strained right rotator cuff surgically repaired, MLB.com reported.
Garcia will rest and attempt to rehab the injury, and he hopes to be at full strength for spring training, according to the report.
"There's nothing that is screaming surgery," St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak told MLB.com. "Dr. Andrews felt like getting him some rehab to see if he can work through it is fine. And from a medical standpoint, we're fine with that."
Garcia left Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Washington Nationals on Oct. 8 after two innings. An MRI showed inflammation and the rotator cuff strain. Garcia was taken off the Cardinals' active roster, which meant he was ineligible through the National League Championship Series.
Garcia, 26, made 20 starts for the Cardinals in the regular season this year, going 7-7 with a 3.92 ERA. He missed the entire 2009 season following Tommy John elbow surgery, but he bounced back to earn 13 wins in both 2010 and 2011. Garcia pitched well in two starts in the World Series against the Texas Rangers last year, allowing two runs in 10 innings while striking out 10.
