"The Cards' all-time saves leader considers having surgery on his elbow to help keep his career options open.

It is almost certain Jason Isringhausen has thrown his last pitch for the Cardinals. But that is quite different from saying he has thrown his last pitch, period.

The franchise's all-time saves leader returned to the team's clubhouse Friday afternoon, three days after telling teammates he was "done" due to a torn flexor muscle near his right elbow.

On Tuesday, team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta verified the diagnosis.

Isringhausen spent Wednesday at home pondering whether he should seek surgery and try to rehab his way back to the major leagues or walk away from a big-league career that began on July 17, 1997, a seven-inning start for the New York Mets against the Chicago Cubs.

Much has happened since that start, including a role change that led to him becoming one of the 25 most prolific closers in the game's history, and for seven seasons part of his hometown team's core.

Two weeks shy of turning 36, Isringhausen at first said he wasn't sure what he would do. Later on, however, he obliquely confirmed what others had suggested: He eventually would undergo surgery to at least give himself the option of pitching next season.

"I'm going to wait a little while, but if nothing improves I'm going to have surgery," he said. "That way, if I want to pitch, I can pitch."

Isringhausen likely will wait until after participating in Albert Pujols' charity golf tournament next month before having Paletta perform a procedure that typically requires a three-month rehabilitation.

Stuck at 293 career saves, Isringhausen then must answer other questions.

"Is it worth it to come back for seven more?" he wondered while acknowledging that there won't be any mega-deal awaiting him. "Somebody's going to have to want me first. We'll have to see."

No wait is required to put Isringhausen's seven seasons with the Cardinals in context. His 217 saves for the franchise make him one of only 15 pitchers to amass 200 saves for one club. His 47 saves in 2004 tied Lee Smith's single-season franchise record.

Isringhausen's two-sided career in St. Louis should be remembered for a high-percentage conversion rate when he was healthy, and ineffectiveness that usually was accompanied by injury intrigue.

Isringhausen pitched well in 2002 while refusing to acknowledge a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. His rehab made him unavailable until June 2003, a season lost partly because of chaos in the bullpen."