Cards outfielder Duncan has neck surgery

St. Louis -- St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan underwent neck surgery Monday, all but ending his season.

The procedure involved a cervical disc replacement and Duncan will need three-to-four months to recover.

Duncan, 27, was placed on the disabled list July 22 with the injury. He received a cortisone shot that apparently had no effect.

This will be the second consecutive year Duncan will have a season cut short due to injury. He had season-ending surgery to repair a bilateral sports hernia last September.

Duncan hit .248 with six homers and 27 RBI in 76 games this season after posting back-to-back 20-homer seasons in 2006 and 2007. As St. Louis' left-fielder, Duncan hit for a .259 average with 21 home runs and 70 RBI in 127 games last season, after a .293 average and 22 home runs in just 90 games during his rookie campaign in 2006.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.