ST. LOUIS • The Cardinals need for a closer is more than immediate. It could become lasting as Trevor Rosenthal, twice a 40-save closer, will have Tommy John surgery next week and could miss as much as half of next season recovering from the procedure.
Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch confirmed before Wednesday's game what was suggested by the team's decision to move Rosenthal to the 60-day disabled list earlier in the day. Rosenthal has a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament and will require reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, whom Rosenthal consulted for a second opinion this week, will perform the surgery in California.