Jaime Garcia injury: Cardinals starter to have season ending surgery

Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia will have season ending surgery on his shoulder. A small tear in the pitcher's labrum is expected to keep him out until at least the beginning of the 2014 season.

The tear was described by Dr. James Andrews as being about "30 to 40" percent, reports Jon Heyman at CBSSports.com. Andrews recommended the surgery after an examination of Garcia's shoulder. Were it more of a full tear, Garcia could have been out well into next season.

The injury apparently may go all the way back to the 2012 postseason. Garcia, 26, left game two of the NLDS against the Nationals early with shoulder soreness and did not pitch again in the playoffs.

Andrews allegedly expressed amazement that Garcia was able to pitch as well as he has in 2013 with his shoulder in such rough shape, according to the CBS Sports article. In seven starts, Garcia posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.301 WHIP, along with a 7.0 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. All those numbers are well in line with his career averages. His velocity was also normal, with no noticeable drop.

The Cardinals originally placed Garcia on the disabled list on May 18. Tyler Lyons was called up and will start Wednesday against the Padres.