The St. Louis Cardinals tonight announced that pitcher Chris Carpenter will undergo “Tommy John” surgery.

After developing swelling and stiffness after his most recent rehabilitation start for Palm Beach (A) on July 8, Carpenter was re-evaluated by team physician Dr. George Paletta.  Based on that re-evaluation, it was recommended that Carpenter undergo medial collateral ligament reconstruction, or “Tommy John” surgery.

Additional consultation with Dr. Lewis Yocum (LA Angels team physician) and evaluation by Dr. David Altcheck (team physician NY Mets) and Dr. James Andrews confirmed the initial recommendation for arthroscopy and debridement as well as the current recommendation for elbow ligament reconstruction.

Carpenter will undergo surgery early next week and is not expected to return until sometime in 2008.

Information courtesy of the Cardinals media relations department.

The Phillies signed lefthanded pitcher Joe Savery, their first-round selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft, to a contract with a signing bonus of $1,372,000. Savery is said to be headed to the Williamsport Crosscutters (New York-Penn League) in Lowell, MA to start his professional career.

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have acquired infielder Cesar Izturis and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named.  The announcement was made by Dave Littlefield, the Pirates' Senior Vice President and General Manager.  No other terms of the deal were announced.
 
Izturis, 27, hit .246 (47-for-191) with 11 doubles and eight RBI in 65 games with the Cubs this season while making 60 appearances (48 starts) at shortstop.  He was acquired by Chicago from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Greg Maddux on July 31, 2006.
      
The switch-hitting Izturis was named to the National League All-Star team while playing with the Dodgers in 2005.   He also won the Rawlings Gold Glove award in 2004, after making just 10 errors in 159 games at shortstop (674 total chances).  In his major league career, Izturis has made 640 appearances at shortstop, 43 at second base and 28 at third base.

Hat tip to the Pirates media relations departmnent