Bourjos undergoes surgery for hip impingement

ST. LOUIS -- Outfielder Peter Bourjos underwent right hip surgery to address a previously undisclosed hip impingement that, according to general manager John Mozeliak, affected Bourjos throughout much of the second half of the season.

The surgery, which was performed by team orthopedist Dr. David King on Oct. 21, should not limit Bourjos when Spring Training opens in Feburary. The Cardinals are expected to tender Bourjos, a second-time arbitration-eligible player, a contract this winter to bring him back as an extra outfielder in 2015.

The Cardinals' training staff conducted a study on Bourjos' hip in August, Mozeliak said, after the 27-year-old outfielder noted some discomfort in his hip area. At that time, it was determined that Bourjos would need to undergo a cleanout procedure at season's end to address a cartilage defect in his hip.

Bourjos continued to play through the injury and was not known to have cut back on his pregame workload.

"He just grinded it out," Mozeliak said. "He could have probably stopped the year had we not needed him. ... It was something that bothered him most of the second half of the season, to where I do think it affected him offensively."

Bourjos, in his first season with the Cardinals, actually had better offensive numbers in the second half than the first, but his playing time was limited. In 103 plate appearances after the All-Star break, Bourjos hit .253/.313/.374 with four stolen bases. Late in the year, he was used primarily as a defensive replacement.

Video: STL@MIL: Bourjos scores a pair with a long triple

He had just two plate appearances in the team's nine postseason games.

This marks the second straight offseason during which Bourjos will be recovering from surgery. In September 2013, he underwent surgery on his right wrist. That procedure delayed his start on an offseason workout program, as will this one. He will not be entirely limited, however.

"I spoke to him a couple days ago," Mozeliak said, "and he's already feeling better."

Bourjos is one of three players on the Cardinals' 40-man roster to have had surgery shortly after the season ended. Mozeliak said that Jon Jay (left wrist) and Adam Wainwright (right elbow) are progressing as hoped in their respective recoveries. Jay is expected to begin his normal offseason program in early- to mid-December, while Wainwright is about to start physical therapy. He is projected to be cleared to resume throwing in mid-December.