Shoulder Surgery Reveals Damage to Sutter’s Rotator Cuff

Doctors said they found a partial tear of the rotator cuff and cartilage damage in the pitching shoulder of Atlanta Brave reliever Bruce Sutter during surgery Wednesday in East Lansing, Mich.

Brave trainer Dave Pursley said Dr. Lanny Johnson cleaned debris from the shoulder.

“Dr. Johnson thinks he helped Bruce,” Pursley said. “He starts a rehabilitation program now, with a short range of motion over the next three weeks. Then, for a couple of months, he can do light exercises with weights. We’ll see what happens after that.”

Sutter appeared in 16 games for the Braves this season. He was placed on the disabled list May 28.

The Braves also said that pitcher Craig McMurtry, sidelined by an inflamed tendon sheath in his right middle finger, will report to the Braves’ Double-A affiliate in Greenville, S.C., under the 20-day rehabilitation rule.

Atlanta General Manager Bobby Cox said McMurtry would start at least two games for Greenville.