Kyle Lohse of the St. Louis Cardinals has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Today, it was announced that Kyle Lohse of the Cardinals would undergo surgery this coming Friday on his right forearm due to a very rare condition.

No one expected that the injury to his forearm would be such a rare condition that would require such extensive surgery that would keep him out of the game indefinitely.  This surgery could keep Lohse from returning to the Cardinals starting lineup for the rest of the MLB season.

The rare condition that Lohse has is known as exertional compartment syndrome.  This is not something that has been experienced in the Major Leagues before.  In fact, when Lohse had an extensive examination Wednesday at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, doctors explained to the right-handed pitcher that this is a common condition among distance runners as well as motocross riders – not pitchers.

The expected period of recovery seems to be around seven to eight weeks.  However, it seems that this particular surgery for Lohse could keep him off the Cardinals active roster for at least a couple months but possibly the remainder of the season.  When he recovers from the surgery and feels like pitching, he could return as a relief pitcher so that he is not throwing as much as a starting pitcher at least until he can fully recover and get back into the swing of things.

Lohse has been fighting injuries over the course of the past two years and has been 7-14 and 15 victories back in 2008.  He has 9 starts this year with a 5.89 ERA and is 1-4.

Cardinals are not only without Lohse, though, they are also without another quality member, Brad Penny, who was placed on the disabled list due to a strain to a back muscle.  Lohse’s replacement will be Fernando Salas from AAA Memphis.

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