"Brett Myers considered pitching through pain this season, but the message from doctors was clear: If he did not have hip surgery soon, Myers would risk further injury.

So the 28-year-old righthander, who has spent his entire career with the Phillies, decided late today to have surgery to repair a torn labrum and bone spurs in his hip. While an autumn return is not impossible, Myers admitted it was a "longshot." He will be a free agent after this season, so his future in Philadelphia is uncertain.

Myers traveled to New York today to see Bryan T. Kelly, a hip specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery, seeking a second opinion after team doctors told him yesterday that he likely would need surgery. The pitcher said that while no surgery had been scheduled, an operation next Thursday was a strong possibility

Myers asked Kelly about the possibility of receiving an anti-inflammatory shot and waiting until the off-season to have the procedure. The doctor told Myers that any delay would risk his long-term health.

"This is the best option for me," Myers told The Inquirer. "If you [pitch through the injury], the chances of hurting your arm are greater. Ultimately, I could hurt my arm and need two surgeries."

Kelly performed an operation to repair a torn labrum in second baseman Chase Utley's hip last November, and told Myers that his injury was similar to his teammate's (though, unlike Utley, Myers also has bone spurs). "I have the same thing as Chase, a torn labrum," Myers said."