SAN DIEGO -- Randy Wolf, who had hoped to salvage an injury-marred season by pitching out of the bullpen later this month, will undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery instead, probably ending his time with the Dodgers.
The team characterized the procedure, to be performed Wednesday, as "diagnostic" or exploratory in nature, partly because they and Wolf appear to be at odds over what doctors are likely to find.
Stan Conte, the Dodgers' head trainer, said two MRI tests showed Wolf's labrum and rotator cuff were fine, a finding three doctors have agreed with. Under that best-case scenario, doctors will clean up whatever impingement they find and treat an inflamed bursa, sidelining Wolf for six to eight weeks.
But Wolf, 31, who lost most of the last two seasons to reconstructive elbow surgery after doctors told him the arm was fine, said he's convinced there's something more serious going on. And if he's right, he could be out six to nine months.
"When you've lived in your body for 31 years you know what's right and what's not right," he said. "And after a while you just know that what's going on isn't getting better.
"If they find nothing, honestly I'd be surprised."
Wolf won eight of his first 12 decisions before going on the disabled list with an inflamed shoulder July 4. He tried to return twice before recurring shoulder pain forced him to shut down his comeback attempt last weekend. He and the Dodgers' medical staff then agreed to surgery Thursday.
"It's too weird," Wolf said. "It's hard to really know what's going on inside until you get a good look at what's really in there."
A former All-Star who pitched at El Camino Real High and Pepperdine University, Wolf said he turned down several multiyear contract offers to sign a one-year, $8-million deal with his hometown team last winter. But with the Dodgers having acquired Esteban Loaiza, who is signed through next season, and with Wolf's health questionable, the team appears likely to buy out the pitcher's 2008 option after the season, leaving the left-hander unemployed.
"It's really unfortunate," Wolf said. "But I went into this year understanding the risks. I went to L.A. wanting to play for the Dodgers. I took that gamble and I lost. But I'd do it again."
Loaiza, obtained off waivers from Oakland on Wednesday, joined the team -- and a division pennant race -- when he arrived in the Dodgers clubhouse at about 4 p.m. Friday.
