More surgery needed for Hoffman

PEORIA, Ariz., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman will need a third shoulder surgery that could sideline him for half of the season.

Hoffman told reporters Tuesday morning at the team's training complex in Peoria, Ariz.

An MRI taken Friday in San Diego revealed no further damage to the right rotator cuff that already has been repaired twice, but Hoffman said he feels a dull pain and restricted movement in the shoulder.

Hoffman confirmed Tuesday that he will undergo arthroscopic surgery to shave about a half inch of bone where the clavicle meets the A/C joint. He could have the procedure by the end of the week.

While Hoffman was told he would be out at least three months, the length of his absence cannot be determined until the surgery is performed.

"It's a few months out at the most, I hope," Hoffman said. "But it isn't as bad as we first thought it might be."

Hoffman has recorded 350 of his 352 career saves with the Padres, and has an .889 save percentage during a 10-year career. He was successful in 53-of-54 chances during the Padres' World Series run of 1998.

Scheduled to collect $9 million in 2003, Hoffman has been rehabilitating his shoulder since the beginning of the year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff on Oct. 16.

In 1995, Hoffman had similar surgery on the rotator cuff, which will not be touched this time around.

"Nothing warrants them messing with the cuff, which is a good thing," he said.