Mark Prior is out for the rest of the season, just like last year.
After injuries limited him to nine starts in 2006 and cut short his season in early August, the Chicago Cubs pitcher will miss the entire 2007 season after surgery on his right shoulder.
Dr. James Andrews operated on the 26-year-old right-hander Tuesday and also worked on Prior’s rotator cuff.
“Dr. Andrews feels comfortable that he will still have a career. This is certainly not career-ending,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday. “He felt optimistic that he would be able to pitch next year. At his age, he should not have a problem responding.”
Prior has been beset by injuries since his first full season in the majors in 2003. He went on the disabled list three times last year and started this season in Triple-A.
According to a team statement, Andrews performed a debridement of Prior’s rotator cuff and repaired labral and capsular injuries in the shoulder.
Athletics: Oakland activated first baseman Dan Johnson from the 15-day disabled list and optioned catcher Adam Melhuse to Triple-A Sacramento.
The move leaves designated hitter Mike Piazza as the backup to starting catcher Jason Kendall. Piazza has played 1,629 games at catcher in his career, but manager Bob Geren said in spring training that he hoped not to use him there.
Pirates: Second baseman Freddy Sanchez was taken out of the lineup against the Houston Astros because of irritation in his right eye.
Mets: Pedro Martinez is encouraged by his recovery from rotator-cuff surgery and confident that he’ll return to the team for the second half of this season.
Brewers: Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets left Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs after three innings because of a strained right groin.
