ST. LOUIS • Cardinals center fielder Peter Bourjos had surgery on his hip to alleviate pain that a team official described as "chronic" and caused discomfort for Bourjos throughout the second half of the season.

Bourjos had surgery Oct. 21 to address an impingement and repair cartilage damage on the right side of his hip. At the player's request, the Cardinals did not make a public statement at the time. Bourjos has started his rehab as he also readies for his wedding later this month.

He is expected to be ready for spring training.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak described and confirmed details of the surgery this morning.

Mozeliak added that the club expects Bourjos to be a member of the Cardinals for the coming season. They will offer him a contract before the deadline for players with less than six years of experience and Bourjos was not considered a candidate for non-tendering coming into this offseason.

"Obviously, he's looking for more of those everyday at-bats," Mozeliak said. "Given where we are as an organization, we still see a fit for him, and given what he's been dealing with he has that upside offensively that we feel we still haven't been able to see. From an organization's view, we see many ways for him to contribute."

The Cardinals want to maintain their outfield depth at this time.

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