Cardinals’ Keith Butler needs Tommy John surgery
By David Miniel
Things just got worse for the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen after the team learned that right-handed pitcher Keith Butler would be forced to undergo Tommy John Surgery.
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The news was passed along by Jenifer Langosch on Twitter.
The Cardinals just placed Kevin Siegrist on the 15-day disabled list earlier today with a left forearm strain and had to recall Sam Freeman from their Triple-A affiliate. Derrick Goold reported that the injury was more towards his wrist than his elbow which means he should be able to avoid surgery.
Butler surrendered six earned runs in just two innings of work out of the bullpen with the Red Birds this season.
St. Louis optioned him to Triple-A Memphis on April 17 and was hoping to pick up another opportunity with the big league club later on in the Summer. Butler made the active roster after competing for a spot in the pen during Spring Training despite posting a horrifying 8.38 ERA in 9 2/3 exhibition innings.
The young righty made his Major League debut on June 1 with the Cardinals where he gave up one hit, walk and strikeout in one inning against the San Francisco Giants.
Just a day later, Butler pitched a perfect ninth inning.
Butler is expected to be out until mid-2015.