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Izzy's out...possibly for his career
All-time Cardinals saves leader Jason Isringhausen walked away from the club Tuesday with what is believed to be a career-threatening torn flexor muscle near his right elbow.
Team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta confirmed the finding to club officials Tuesday night after examining Isringhausen, according to sources familiar with the situation. The Brighton, Ill., native knew enough about his condition before leaving Busch Stadium Tuesday afternoon to inform some club personnel, "I’m done."
The tear is located near the elbow, according to sources familiar with Paletta’s finding, and causes Isringhausen problems gripping the ball and flexing his wrist. Rest was prescribed but surgery could eventually become necessary.
The injury ends the tenure of one of the Cardinals’ most productive free agent signings and a core contributor to one of the most successful runs in recent franchise history.
Isringhausen endured shoulder and hip surgeries in seven seasons with the club but endured to convert 217 of his career 293 saves for his hometown team.
"I know he’s had some elbow problem. I know it isn’t good. Beyond that, I really don’t know much more," manager Tony La Russa said during batting practice.
Isringhausen, 36, required elbow ligament transplant surgery in January 1998 and would require an additional procedure to continue pitching. In the final season of a three-year, $27.75 million extension, Isringhausen is instead expected to fall short of becoming the 22nd pitcher in major league history to reach 300 saves.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak offered no comment Tuesday night, pending conversations with Paletta and Isringhausen’s lead agent, Dan Horwits.
It is unclear who diagnosed the muscle tear, but club sources indicated Isringhausen made at least two appearances after learning of the condition. He threw a scoreless inning against the Florida Marlins last Tuesday and, in likely his final career outing, received a hold while protecting a lead Saturday night against the Cincinnati Reds.
Isringhausen appeared only twice after striking out three in a two-inning outing Aug. 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Isringhausen was 1-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 42 appearances this season, leaving him 45-49 with a 3.61 ERA in 612 career games. He stands tied for 162nd place on the all-time appearance list with Jerry Koosman.
The Cardinals are expected to put Isringhausen on the disabled list today for the second time this season and for the fourth time during his tenure with the team. This season’s first stint followed a May incident in which he threw an open-handed punch at a clubhouse television following a blown save in Milwaukee. After missing a month, Isringhausen was reactivated into a middle-relief role. He recorded his final save Aug. 1 in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies during a weeklong second chance as closer. A difficult Aug. 5 outing moved La Russa to return him to a middle-long relief role.
Isringhausen’s absence Tuesday went largely unnoticed as attention focused on the possible return of starting pitchers Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter from the disabled list. Amid an on-field media swirl, clubhouse personnel moved some of Isringhausen’s belongings from his locker.
The Cardinals signed Isringhausen on Dec. 11, 2001 to a lesser deal than one offered by the Texas Rangers. Isringhausen averaged 34 saves the next six seasons, including a career-high 47 in 2004 when the franchise reached its first World Series in 17 years.
A degenerative left hip condition forced Isringhausen to undergo September 2006 surgery and miss the team’s unlikely run to a world championship. He returned last season to convert 32 of 34 save chances, the game’s second-best success rate.
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/20/2008ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
All-time Cardinals saves leader Jason Isringhausen walked away from the club Tuesday with what is believed to be a career-threatening torn flexor muscle near his right elbow.
Team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta confirmed the finding to club officials Tuesday night after examining Isringhausen, according to sources familiar with the situation. The Brighton, Ill., native knew enough about his condition before leaving Busch Stadium Tuesday afternoon to inform some club personnel, "I’m done."
The tear is located near the elbow, according to sources familiar with Paletta’s finding, and causes Isringhausen problems gripping the ball and flexing his wrist. Rest was prescribed but surgery could eventually become necessary.
The injury ends the tenure of one of the Cardinals’ most productive free agent signings and a core contributor to one of the most successful runs in recent franchise history.
Isringhausen endured shoulder and hip surgeries in seven seasons with the club but endured to convert 217 of his career 293 saves for his hometown team.
"I know he’s had some elbow problem. I know it isn’t good. Beyond that, I really don’t know much more," manager Tony La Russa said during batting practice.
Isringhausen, 36, required elbow ligament transplant surgery in January 1998 and would require an additional procedure to continue pitching. In the final season of a three-year, $27.75 million extension, Isringhausen is instead expected to fall short of becoming the 22nd pitcher in major league history to reach 300 saves.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak offered no comment Tuesday night, pending conversations with Paletta and Isringhausen’s lead agent, Dan Horwits.
It is unclear who diagnosed the muscle tear, but club sources indicated Isringhausen made at least two appearances after learning of the condition. He threw a scoreless inning against the Florida Marlins last Tuesday and, in likely his final career outing, received a hold while protecting a lead Saturday night against the Cincinnati Reds.
Isringhausen appeared only twice after striking out three in a two-inning outing Aug. 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Isringhausen was 1-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 42 appearances this season, leaving him 45-49 with a 3.61 ERA in 612 career games. He stands tied for 162nd place on the all-time appearance list with Jerry Koosman.
The Cardinals are expected to put Isringhausen on the disabled list today for the second time this season and for the fourth time during his tenure with the team. This season’s first stint followed a May incident in which he threw an open-handed punch at a clubhouse television following a blown save in Milwaukee. After missing a month, Isringhausen was reactivated into a middle-relief role. He recorded his final save Aug. 1 in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies during a weeklong second chance as closer. A difficult Aug. 5 outing moved La Russa to return him to a middle-long relief role.
Isringhausen’s absence Tuesday went largely unnoticed as attention focused on the possible return of starting pitchers Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter from the disabled list. Amid an on-field media swirl, clubhouse personnel moved some of Isringhausen’s belongings from his locker.
The Cardinals signed Isringhausen on Dec. 11, 2001 to a lesser deal than one offered by the Texas Rangers. Isringhausen averaged 34 saves the next six seasons, including a career-high 47 in 2004 when the franchise reached its first World Series in 17 years.
A degenerative left hip condition forced Isringhausen to undergo September 2006 surgery and miss the team’s unlikely run to a world championship. He returned last season to convert 32 of 34 save chances, the game’s second-best success rate.
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