Schilling has surgery on damaged ankle

BOSTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling underwent a three-hour operation Tuesday to fix a ruptured tendon in his right ankle.

Dr. Bill Morgan, the team physician, performed the surgery.

Morgan said Schilling, 37, will need about six weeks to recover from the operation followed by a similar period of rehabilitation. He is expected to be ready for spring training, which begins in mid-February.

Despite the injury, the 6-foot-5 right-hander pitched the Red Sox to one of their wins in a World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Schilling had a 21-6 record in the regular season.