Cardinal Outfielder Jurich Will Have Surgery Tuesday
February 24, 2003 | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville All-America outfielder Mark Jurich will have surgery on Tuesday at Jewish Hospital to have a bone fragment removed from his right hand.
Jurich will be sidelined about four weeks before he can return to full activity following the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Amit Gupta of the Kleinert Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center. He suffered the injury in the bottom of the 10th inning of the Cardinals' season-opening 3-2 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday. His metal bat broke in his hand with the swing, which scored the winning run.
"It's tough to lose someone in the first game of the season, but I know this is just a minor setback for Mark," said U of L Baseball Coach Lelo Prado. "I know he will work through it and I'm confident our team will keep their focus as in the early stages of this season."
A 2002 third team All-America selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, Jurich spent much of last season batting over .400 before finishing with a team-leading .365 average in helping the Cardinals to a 39-18 record and their first-ever NCAA appearance. He produced 15 doubles, five triples, a team-high 16 home runs and 60 RBI in earning first-team All-Conference USA honors. He was one of 40 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, presented to the top player in collegiate baseball.
