STL Post-Dispatch: Mulder comes up empty

It took only five outs and 49 pitches Tuesday night for Tony La Russa to tell that Mark Mulder had gone far enough to call it a night.

More than two months after going on the disabled list with shoulder problems, Mulder looked back at the same outing and its accompanying discomfort and called it a season.
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Several days removed from speaking optimistically about making his second start since June 20, Mulder (6-7) spoke bluntly about a process that may have hit a dead end. “There’s still something going on,” Mulder said. “I’m obviously not right out there.”

Mulder will be examined today by team orthopedist Dr. George Paletta in addition to undergoing an MRI exam. Any discussion of what Paletta described as “a new direction” is likely to include the possibility of surgery to correct an impingement, fraying of the labrum and inflammation of the rotator cuff that has made it impossible for Mulder to replicate a proper throwing motion.

“What I saw was his mechanics reverted to what they appeared to be before the process began,” Paletta said…“I think we need to take another careful look at the situation.”

Mulder’s agent probably can be found in the fetal position these days.