Marcum to undergo surgery, will miss 2009 season

Sep 20, 2008 - 3:37 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The 2008 season hasn't even ended and Shaun Marcum's 2009 campaign is already over.

The Toronto Blue Jays' righthander will undergo "Tommy John" surgery to replace a torn ligament in his right elbow, likely sidelining him until the 2010 season. He exited Tuesday's start against the Baltimore Orioles after two-plus innings and just 52 pitches, experiencing "numbness" and discomfort in his right forearm and hand.

Marcum underwent an MRI on Thursday and the tests were sent to renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who concluded that the damage requires ligament replacement surgery.

"It's in my opinion a (terrible) way to end the season," Marcum told the Toronto Star on Friday. "I just have to keep my head up and bust my (butt) this offseason."

No date has been set for the surgery.

Marcum was 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA in 25 starts this season. He missed a month in the middle of the season with soreness in his right elbow, though it is unclear whether that injury and his current one are related.