ST. LOUIS • Less than nine months after he had elbow surgery -- and several months earlier than if he had the Tommy John reconstruction -- former Cardinals reliever Seth Maness could return to the majors as early as Wednesday.
Maness, now with the Kansas City Royals, is joining the team in Tampa, Fla., a source described, and a corresponding roster move is expected.
To many medical officials and baseball operations execs in the game, his return is a significant step. Maness represents what could be the most significant stride for the game in elbow surgery in generations.