Schilling career over? According to this...yes.

[Gom]

Taken from Baseball Injury Report.

Is Curt Schilling’s Career Over?

 

Schilling has started the long rehab road back to the major after the Red Sox instructed him to rehab his shoulder rather than have surgery. Will this mean the end of his major league career?

 

Let’s take a look at his medical history first. Back in 1995, he was diagnosed with a Slap Lesion (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior.). This occurs where the biceps tendon connects to the labrum and there is a tear. This surgery performed by Dr. Craig Morgan, not to be confused with Dr. Bill Morgan, the former Boston team physician who performed the infamous ‘ankle surgery’ during the 2004 postseason. In 1999, Schilling needed surgery to shorten and tighten the shoulder capsule. Again, the surgery performed by Dr. Craig Morgan. Last season, he was diagnosed with bicipitial dysfunction (the biceps tendon was starting to degrade in function and strength) leading to muscle weakness in his pitching shoulder. When he returned from the DL down the stretch, he had not regained the normal velocity on his pitches but was able to use guile to get the job done. Just before the start of the playoffs, he needed a cortisone injection to get him through the post season.

 

In December 2007, Schilling felt discomfort in the front of his shoulder and was shut down until January. When he attempted to resume workouts early last month, the pain was much more intense and he went to see Dr. Morgan. A contrast MRI was done on the shoulder that revealed significant damage to the biceps tendon. It was torn into several pieces longitudinally (length wise). Dr. Morgan consulted with the White Sox team physician who has done the procedure and planned to do a subpectoral biceps tenodesis surgical procedure. This is where a surgical screw is used to hold the biceps tendon in place to allow it to heal. Both Morgan and the consulting physician believed the injury would not heal without surgery. It is important to note there has never been a major league pitcher who has undergone this surgery. The Red Sox balked, insisting on an extended rehab program.

 

On February 9, Schilling was given a cortisone injection and told to avoid baseball related work for up to eight weeks. In the meantime, he is doing shoulder strengthening exercises. The Boston medical staff believes if he can avoid a setback, he could return in July or August. This is totally contrary to Dr., Morgan’s viewpoint.

 

Back in early January, Morgan told Schilling if he had the surgery in the next few days, he would have a 5-6 month recovery period. That would put his return during the middle part of the season. Because of the nature of the surgery, the odds were still against Schilling, but at least he had hope and faith in his personal physician. The window of opportunity for surgery to get Schilling back on the mound has now come and gone as the Red Sox fought the idea. According to Morgan, Schilling has no chance of returning by going the rehab route. In both 1995 and 1999 Morgan performed experimental and successful surgeries to keep him in the game. So it is easy to see why he has faith in Morgan. When you factor in his age, it is easy to see why this is the last year for Schilling and the odds are huge that he will not pitch in 2008 or ever again. At least his last outing was a win in the post season. (Feb 23)

According to Dr. Morgan, Schilling is not only done for this year, but his career is likely over. Hats off to him. He helped end your curse. As a Yankee fan, I can't help but tip my cap to one of the top competitors and hated rivals in the game. Enjoy your retirement, Curt. You earned it.