Doctor: Rehab cost Schilling

Curt Schilling could have been ready to pitch in the American League Championship Series, according to his surgeon.

Dr. Craig Morgan said yesterday that if the Red Sox had followed his advice to operate on Schilling's shoulder last winter, the righthander likely would have been ready for the postseason.

"If the [team] would have let me do the surgery in January, he'd probably be pitching in the playoffs now," Morgan said in a telephone interview.

Schilling, who turns 42 next month, missed the entire season after having shoulder surgery in June. The Red Sox won the AL wild card without him.

Only 3 1/2 months after the operation was performed, Morgan yesterday described Schilling's shoulder as "phenomenal."

Red Sox owner John Henry, general manager Theo Epstein, president Larry Lucchino, and team physician Thomas Gill did not respond to e-mail requests for comment.

A spokesman for Schilling said the pitcher had no comment. He is signed for only 2008 at $8 million.

Morgan wanted to operate last January, then said during spring training that the only way Schilling might have been able to pitch this season would be if he had surgery. Gill recommended rehabilitation and Schilling went along reluctantly because he was obligated under his contract to follow the team's plan.