St. Louis Cardinals to get discount on pitchers’ arm surgeries

ST. LOUIS, MO — Over the past couple of years, the St. Louis Cardinals have been beset by arm injuries suffered by their pitching staff. The pitchers on the current staff who have undergone surgeries on their arms at some point in their career amounts to a pretty solid group of starters and relievers.

The list includes former Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter, former All-Star Game starter Mark Mulder, starter Matt Clement, starter Braden Looper, closer Jason Isringhausen and reliever Josh Kinney. And so far in spring training this season, St. Louis has learned that All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols is playing through a severe elbow injury, reliever Tyler Johnson has suffered a small rotator cuff tear, and starter Joel Pineiro has experienced shoulder stiffness which has led to him sitting out.

Usually all of these injuries are bad news, but for the Cardinals some good has finally come of it. In an unprecedented move, thanks to aggressive negotiations on the part of owner Bill DeWitt, Jr., the team has been given a group discount on arm surgeries from a St. Louis area hospital.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said that the team brings in a lot of business, and administrators felt it was time to recognize and reward the organization’s regular patronage.

“The St. Louis Cardinals have just done so much to keep this hospital running. They bring in pitcher after pitcher, player after player to get their arms fixed. We’re so grateful for everything they’ve done for us, that we decided to show our appreciation.”

“They have a great staff over there, and they treat us like we’re a part of the family. With as much as we’re over there, I guess we are,” DeWitt said, laughing as he praised the hospital for their good will. “But anything we can do to save a little money, we’re happy to do it. It helps to stay competitive; or at least it helps us make a little extra money.”

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!