How could something that severe have eluded all of the various non-surgical examinations and imaging he's already had? It's not like up until now he's only been seen by guys that stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Great point. If there was significant tissue damage, its highly unlikely it would have evaded all of the advanced diagnostic procedures that were completed. I am betting they discovered some typical irriatation, and they cleaned it up and that was it. There was some fraying of the labrum too. They're looking at him to begin throwing in January. So basically when I was ripped in a previous thread when I said that he had what Kerry Wood had in 2005, my critics were wrong. I'll repeat what I said then. Since he has better mechanics than Wood, he should be more than serviceable again. Matt Morris had the same thing. The question is whether the Cubs control him through 2008 or 2009. Heck, they might non-tender him this winter and his Cub career is over. Just curious...Why wasn't this done last year? Non-tendering him or the surgery?