"Jason Isringhausen, the Cardinals' all-time leader in saves, will have surgery on his right elbow next week, the team announced Friday. Isringhausen, who had explored treatments other than surgery, was placed on the disabled list Aug. 20 with a partially torn tendon in his pitching elbow. The righthander, whose contract expires at the end of this season, has said he wants to pitch next season, saying that it's just a matter of making sure the "body is able."

The surgery, described by team official as necessary if Isringhausen planned to throw again, would allow him to recover by spring training.

The righthander was twice bounced from the closer role this season and finishes the year with 293 career saves, seven shy of becoming the 22nd pitcher in baseball history to reach 300.

Cardinals lefthander Jaime Garcia confirmed Friday he will have ligament replacement surgery on his pitching elbow Monday, ending his season. He'll spend most of 2009 rehabbing. Garcia was 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 10 appearances with the Cardinals. The 22nd-round pick has been earmarked as one of the Cardinals' top starting pitcher prospects and, at 22, has gotten experience this season in a relief role. He experienced discomfort in the left elbow last season, but rest calmed the joint. This time, the soreness didn't dissipate with rest. "The last two games, I could tell something wasn't right in there," he said. "I'll get this done, all I can do right now, have a good rehab and be back by the end of the year.""