Rosado

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Left-hander Jose Rosado likely needs more surgery on his ailing pitching shoulder after a dye-enhanced MRI conducted Thursday revealed signs of a recurrent superior labral tear, the Kansas City Star reported on Friday.

The test was evaluated Thursday night by Dr. Steve Joyce, the Royals' team physician. The results will be sent to Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles and Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., for further examination on Friday.

Yocum performed the original surgery last June 23. Andrews is regarded as an expert in the field. "We believe we saw a recurrent tear at the site of the original injury that had not been seen on the previous MRIs," Joyce told the Star. "If they concur (with the diagnosis), a second arthroscopic procedure would be indicated."

Rosado, an All-Star in 1997 and 1999, hasn't pitched in a regular-season game since April 30, 2000. He appeared to be making steady progress in his rehab program until he walked off the mound March 19 in a simulated game, complaining of shoulder soreness.

"We didn't know where we were before," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "We tried the cortisone, and that didn't work. I look at this as something where at least we can move forward. We found something."

Surgery probably would eliminate Rosado from returning until late in the season, at the earliest. That would leave the Royals with a tough contract decision in the off-season. Rosado makes $3.25 million this year and can't be tendered a contract for less than 80 percent of that salary unless the club allows him to become a free agent.