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Cards manager Mike Matheny has back surgery

Published: March 11, 2013 Comment on this article

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has had surgery to repair a ruptured disk in his lower back.

Matheny had the procedure on Monday in St. Louis. Before leaving the team on Sunday, Matheny said he expected to be back at spring training for Thursday's game against Atlanta in Jupiter.

photo - St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny watches his team take batting practice before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Published reports say Matheny will return to St. Louis on Monday to have surgery to treat a ruptured disk in his back with the hope of returning to the team before their game on Thursday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny watches his team take batting practice before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Published reports say Matheny will return to St. Louis on Monday to have surgery to treat a ruptured disk in his back with the hope of returning to the team before their game on Thursday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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The 42-year-old Matheny, who replaced Tony La Russa as manager after the 2011 season, said early in spring training that the injury probably traces back to his days as a big league catcher from 1994-06.

Bench coach Mike Aldrete is managing the team in Matheny's absence.