ST. LOUIS -- Star relief pitcher Todd Worrell of the St. Louis Cardinals will undergo surgery on his right elbow Dec. 1, the team announced Monday.
Worrell experienced pain in his right elbow following a workout at Busch Stadium, team officials said.
After the workout, the right-hander was examined by the team's physician, Dr. Stan London.
After the examination and consultation with Dr. Frank Jobe of Los Angeles, it was decided Jobe should operate on the medial collateral ligament of Worrell's elbow.
Worrell could be ready to begin pitching in five to six months, London said.
Worrell injured his elbow during a relief appearance Sept. 4. He consulted with several physicians after the injury, and team officials decided Worrell should let the elbow rest for several months to allow it to heal before throwing again.
Also Monday, the Cardinals announced they had purchased the contracts of seven players to be included on their 40-man winter roster.
The players were pitcher Mike Perez, catcher Ray Stephens, infielders Rod Brewer, Greg Carmona and Julian Martinez, and outfielders Ray Lankford and Bernard Gilkey. All played in the team's minor-league system last season.
The Cardinals' winter roster now includes 34 players, six short of the 40-man limit, team officials said.
