SAN FRANCISCO — Padres pitcher Mark Prior will undergo season-ending surgery on his injured right shoulder, the latest medical setback to a once-promising career.
Padres manager Bud Black announced the decision to operate before Sunday’s game against the Giants. Prior, one of the top young pitchers in the game for the Cubs just a few years ago, has not pitched in the majors since Aug. 10, 2006.
He had been trying to make a comeback with his hometown Padres this season, but his rehab process was shut down at extended spring training about two weeks ago when he had more soreness in the shoulder. Prior, 27, had surgery on the same shoulder in April 2007 while with the Cubs.
The Padres won’t know when, or if, Prior will be able to pitch again until after the operation.
Footnotes.
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was sidelined after spraining his wrist Saturday night while swinging at a pitch. Ortiz will have an MRI exam today in Boston.
• The Yankees designated infielder Morgan Ensberg for assignment and recalled right-hander Scott Patterson for another option out of the bullpen.
• Rangers right-hander Vicente Padilla left the team, returning to his native Nicaragua to attend to what manager Ron Washington termed “a family personal matter.”
• The Cardinals recalled reliever Mark Worrell from Triple-A Memphis and optioned Kelvin Jimenez to their top farm club.
• The Reds put right-hander Josh Fogg on the 15-day disabled list with a sore back and called up right-handed reliever Gary Majewski.
