Friday, May. 30, 2008

Surgery no option for Mulder

ST. LOUIS — Before Cardinals team doctor George Paletta presented Mark Mulder the results Wednesday of another scan of the pitcher's vexing left shoulder, Mulder was prepared to walk away from more than the room.

Assured that there is nothing apparent in his shoulder that would require a third operation on the rotator cuff, Mulder said he continues to seek a solution to ongoing problems with the joint. The left-hander, who has spent nearly two years in constant rehab, cannot get his arm into the position he needs to pitch effectively.

The former Athletic said Thursday he would sooner retire than have a third surgery.

"I told (Paletta) later, 'If you would have said something was torn, I would have got up and I would have walked out,' " Mulder said. "Then I would have left. ... I wouldn't do it. I'll take it to the house before that happens. I'm done. There's no way they're going back in there."

Mulder received a second cortisone shot in a week Wednesday and does not expect to attempt to throw until this weekend. A shot at the start of this week did not have the desired effect on the joint, so Mulder said the team put one in a different area of the shoulder hoping it would take root.

Mulder likened the treatments to a process of elimination. What doesn't work can help reveal what will.

"I feel like a pincushion," he said.

• HILL HURT — Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill was injured Thursday after a hard collision with shortstop David Eckstein in the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics.

The team called it a mild concussion, as is standard procedure with a head injury, but also said it wasn't considered serious and listed Hill as day-to-day. He expected to be available to play in tonight's series opener against the Angels in Anaheim.

• SHORT HOPS — Tampa Bay closer Troy Percival was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, and the Rays filled the roster opening by activating infielder Willy Aybar. ... The Minnesota Twins claimed left-handed reliever Craig Breslow off waivers, a week after he was let go by the Cleveland Indians. ... Braves outfielder Matt Diaz will be out at least a month after injuring his left knee attempting to make a catch Tuesday in Milwaukee.

David Wright, Mets

• 2 for 4

• 2 HR

• 4 RBIs

'I didn't think this was going to happen. We have too good of players on our team right now. But it's happening.'