HOUSTON -- For three years, Jeff Bagwell played baseball with mind-numbing pain after arthritis crept into his right shoulder following the 2001 surgery that repaired his torn labrum.

Over the years, Bagwell sought the advice from experts from around the country, and they all had the same recommendation: play as long as you can as is, and consider another surgical procedure only when you can no longer perform at a satisfactory level.

That day arrived on May 4 when Bagwell took himself out of the lineup and eventually went on the disabled list six days later. On Sunday, the Houston Astros announced Bagwell will undergo a procedure in early June called an arthroscopic capsular release. Recovery time is expected to take approximately three months, and Bagwell is hopeful he will be able to return to the field late this season.

Of all of the experts that Bagwell has been examined by over the years, one -- Dr. Richard Hawkins of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Spartanburg, S.C. -- felt especially strongly that this procedure will help. Hawkins, who is also the Colorado Rockies' senior associate orthopedist, and Astros medical director David Lintner will perform the surgery.

The procedure is designed to allow Bagwell to gain more range of motion in his shoulder. According to Lintner, the tissue that surrounds Bagwell's shoulder is very short and tight, and that's what is causing his motion to be so restricted. This surgery will cut away the tissue capsule and hopefully result in a more flexible shoulder.

The surgery is considered a last resort in terms of salvaging Bagwell's playing career. The first baseman is signed through 2006, and the club holds an option for 2007.

"Over the last few years, Jeff has been productive," Lintner said. "He's persevered. He's extraordinarily tolerant of an astounding amount of pain. We all know that now he's not able to perform to his satisfaction. Given the choice between not playing and having the surgery that hopefully will help -- not definitely, but hopefully will help -- given the fact that he can't play anymore, now is the time to try it."

Bagwell views the surgery as his only chance to continue his career.

"I have to do it," he said. "It's the only way I can continue to play this game. I still enjoy enjoy this game very, very much. The last three years have been tough on me. I want to play. I want to help the Houston Astros.

"It's killing me that I can't go out there right now. The best chance for me to play again is to do this surgery. I owe it to the Astros and I owe it to myself to get this done and hopefully come back and be a good player again and contribute to this organization."

Jeff Bagwell  /   1B
		Born: 05/27/68 Height: 6'0" Weight: 215 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

For the last three years, Bagwell received regular cortisone shots at about twice the pace that is normally recommended. His injections came every six weeks, and usually the cortisone would numb his shoulder enough that he could play through any lingering pain.

He received a cortisone injection just as Spring Training began this year and again right before Opening Day, but this time, it didn't have the same affect. Bagwell struggled at the plate through April, and after he went 0-for-5 in a loss against the Pirates on May 3, Bagwell knew he was hurting the team by remaining in the lineup.

He rested for six days, and on May 10, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. It's the first time he's ever missed an extended amount of playing time because of his shoulder.

Bagwell said he's "excited" about the upcoming surgery and is optimistic that he'll have even more range of motion than he did before he hurt his shoulder the first time. But he also realizes this procedure might not work, and if that's the case, he is prepared to face the fact that his career may be over.

"There's a chance that I could be back up here [at the podium] and talking about that I can't [play] anymore," he said. "Is there a chance? Yes. Have I gone through that in my mind? Yes. But I really do believe this is going to work.

"I think this is my best oppportunity to play again. My career is coming to an end anyway. It's just to that point. Just like most athletes say, you want to go out on your own terms. If it doesn't happen, I'm prepared for that."

On Sunday, all parties involved in the announcement -- Bagwell, Lintner and general manager Tim Purpura -- sounded optimistic that Bagwell will benefit from the surgery.

"It's an important step that can help him gain some range of motion and get back on the field," Purpura said. "It's something that he's agonized over, that we have agonized over, and the amount of pain that he's in right now warrants that we do something. This is something that we feel is the best step."

Bagwell will continute to travel with the team throughout his recovery period.

"I really want to, especially with the young team we have," Bagwell said. "I feel I can lend a lot of knowledge. I have a tough time sitting there watching the guys play. They're my guys and I want to be there for them. I might get in their way and bother some people, but it's something I want to do."