Curt Schilling has opted to have surgery on his injured shoulder on Monday, forgoing any chance of returning to baseball this season. The 41 year old Boston Red Sox pitcher may have even thrown his last game in Big Leagues depending on the outcome of the operation.

“My season is over and there is a pretty decent chance I have thrown my last pitch forever.” Schilling told WEEI Radio in Boston. The right handed starter has been on the disabled list since Spring Training with a tendon injury to his shoulder.

Schilling told fans on his personal blog, 38 Pitches, that he will not choose to return to baseball unless he feels he can continue to excel, writing:

“Coming back from this surgery at 31 would be an enormous challenge, at 41 more so. BUT, if that is an option at least I’ll be able to make that decision with all the cards on the table, and it will end on terms I choose. I won’t come back throwing 85 with so-so crap. If there is not an option to come back and be good, I won’t.”

You can takepart by learning more about the ALS Association, one of Curt Schilling’s favorite charities. The ALS Association’s mission is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS and to empower those with Lou Gehrig’s disease and their families.

LINKS:

Yahoo! Sports (AP): Schilling says season over, will have surgery

TSN: Schilling to have season ending surgery

Boston Globe: Season-ending surgery for Schilling