Francisco Cordova's career might be over.
Cordova, a right-hander who was to begin a rehab assignment with Class AA Altoona today, yesterday awoke with a very sore right elbow, which has plagued him all season. The Pirates are making arrangements for Cordova to revisit James Andrews, the noted orthopedist from Birmingham, Ala., but even the short-term prognosis isn't good.
Pirates trainer Kent Biggerstaff said yesterday that in his opinion Cordova needs reconstructive surgery on his elbow -- the same opinion Biggerstaff had in April and June. If Cordova, 29, does opt for reconstructive surgery to repair torn fibers in his ulnar collateral ligament, he would be out 10 months to a year.
And if he doesn't have surgery?
"In my opinion, he won't be able to pitch," Biggerstaff said.
Andrews recommended in April and June that surgery was not necessary and suggested a conservative approach, meaning rest and treatment and then a throwing program.
"I think the integrity of the ligament has been compromised so that it won't stand the 95 to 100 percent effort required to pitch," Biggerstaff said. "It can withstand the 80 to 85 percent effort required for a throwing program."
The Pirates had hoped to use Cordova in relief in September, but that won't happen now.
Cordova's career in jeopardy 
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