Shoulder Surgery Set for Cone

New York Yankees right-hander David Cone will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ailing pitching shoulder, the team said.

Cone was examined today in Birmingham, Alabama, by sports-injury specialist Dr. James Andrews, who agreed with Yankees’ team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon’s recommendation that Cone undergo surgery. A date for the procedure hasn’t been determined.

Tests on Cone’s shoulder revealed a bone spur, tendinitis and inflammation.

Cone, who injured his shoulder during an Aug. 17 game against the Texas Rangers, was sidelined for most of the final six weeks of the regular season. He returned to pitch two games at the end of the season, then started Game 1 of the playoffs against the Cleveland Indians, allowing seven hits and six runs in 3 1/3 innings.

After an MRI exam revealed further swelling in the shoulder, Cone was replaced by Dwight Gooden as the Game 4 starter. The Yankees dropped the final two games to lose the best-of-five series to the Indians 3-2.

The 34-year-old Cone, the 1994 American League Cy Young winner, had a 12-6 record with a 2.82 earned run average this season. He struck out 222 batters in 195 innings.

The Yankees also said outfielder Scott Pose has declared free agency.