Cardinals P Wainwright has arm surgery

[March 01, 2011]  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright had Tommy John surgery on his right arm Monday and the team said he would be out 12-15 months.

General manager John Mozeliak said the surgery went "very well" and that Wainwright is expected to return to the Cardinals spring training facility in a couple of weeks. The surgery was performed team physician, George Paletta.

Wainwright, the 2010 National League Cy Young award runner-up, felt stiffness after throwing his first live batting practice session a week ago. A second opinion confirmed the need for tendon reconstruction surgery.

Wainwright was 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA last season while making his first All-Star team. In 2009, Wainwright led the NL in wins (19), innings (233) and starts (34).

[Associated Press]

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