Elbow Surgery for Saberhagen Deemed a Success

Two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow today, the Kansas City Royals announced.

Dr. Steven Joyce removed two loose fragments and reported that no ligament, tendon or nerve tissue was disturbed, the Royals said.

“I hope to be back pitching in September,” Saberhagen, a right-hander, said on Sunday. “Nobody has ever told me of any reason why I can’t shoot for that target.”

Saberhagen is 5-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 18 starts this year. He left his last start, on July 15 against Boston, after only four innings.

Team officials said Saberhagen is expected to begin throwing in three to five weeks.

Saberhagen won the American League Cy Young last year after going 23-6 with a 2.16 ERA. He also won the award in 1985 when he was 20-6, 2.87.

His 1990 troubles have followed the inexplicable odd-even cycle of Saberhagen’s career. In odd-numbered years since reaching the major leagues in 1984, Saberhagen has gone 20-6, 18-10 and 23-6. His records in even-numbered years are 10-11, 7-12, 14-16 and 5-7.