Schilling says career may be over

Curt Schilling says he's out for the season and his career may be over.

The 41-year-old Boston Red Sox right-hander said Friday on radio station WEEI that he will have shoulder surgery next week.

"My season is over and there is a pretty decent chance I have thrown my last pitch forever," he said.

Schilling's physician, Dr. Craig Morgan, confirmed to the Associated Press the surgery will be done Monday in Wilmington, Del.

"If you use a scale of one to 10 and 10 is pitching in the big leagues, I'm at about three right now," Schilling said. "I'm going in to make it not hurt anymore."

A team spokesman did not immediately return a call.

Early in spring training, Schilling's course of treatment became a source of melodrama. Team physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended rehab for a tendon injury.

Schilling sought a second opinion from Morgan, who operated on the right shoulder in 1995 and 1999. The doctor felt surgery was best, and that rehabilitation would not only fail, but potentially end Schilling's career.

Morgan said Friday that Schilling's shoulder is stronger than it was in spring training when he originally recommended surgery. But the original problem with the tendon persists — Schilling could throw off flat ground, but not from the mound.

Schilling, who's been out since the start of spring training, underwent an MRI Tuesday, and after conferring with Morgan and Gill, a decision was made to do the surgery. Until a couple weeks ago, Schilling had still planned to stick with rehab.

"We had a rough couple of weeks, so a lot of stuff happened over the last couple of days," Schilling said. "I met with Dr. Morgan … and Dr. Gill. It got to a point we had to make some decisions."