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Nick Neugebauer has been hampered by injuries and setbacks in his short Major League career. (Darren Hauck/AP)

Anaheim Angels medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum will perform the arthroscopic procedure in Los Angeles, likely next week. Brewers head trainer Roger Caplinger said Yocum will focus on the posterior part of the shoulder, including the labrum and rotator cuff.

"They're going to go in, assess the situation, and then whatever Dr. Yocum thinks needs to be done, that's what will be done," Caplinger said.

"Obviously, I want to pitch as soon as possible, but that's not always the best thing," said Neugebauer, who had surgery after the 2001 season and spent most of 2002 on the disabled list. "You have to look at the big picture.

"I learned a lot last year, up and down, so I think mentally I'm strong enough to handle all of this. I'm frustrated I can't pitch and it's depressing to be out here around these guys that are throwing, but at the same time it's the best thing for me right now."

Neugie's ride 1998 -- Second-round pick in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of Arlington (CA) High School 1999 -- Played a full season at Class-A Beloit and led the minor leagues with 125 strikeouts 2000 -- Promoted from High-A Stockton to Double-A Huntsville on July 8. At 19, was the Southern League's youngest player 2001 -- Named the Brewers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Advanced from Double-A to the Majors by Aug. 19, and struck out nine Reds hitters in a winning Brewers debut. Placed on the disabled list after his next start and underwent surgery to repair a slight labrum tear and partially torn rotator cuff in September 2002 -- Missed most of Spring Training with shoulder soreness and made seven starts before feeling discomfort minutes before a game. Back pain delayed his return to the Majors until September 2003 -- Will undergo surgery in his pitching shoulder.

By Friday morning Caplinger had left several messages with Yocum's office, and hoped to fit Neugebauer into the schedule as soon as possible. He and Melvin declined to put odds on a possible return this season until after the surgery.

"There's no reason he can't come back, unless there's so much damage done that he can't," Melvin said. "It's gloomy but it's not 'doomy.'"

Brewers manager Ned Yost said Neugebauer had been feeling fine in long toss, but experienced a strange sensation in his shoulder during two pitching sessions off a mound. When he felt pain during long toss on Monday, he began to worry.

Neugebauer visited Yocum in Tempe, Ariz. and was advised that surgery was the best option. He met Friday morning with Melvin and Gord Ash before announcing the decision.

"We'll get it taken care of, make adjustments and go from there," Yost said. "The most important thing is that we get him healthy."

Yocum also performed Neugebauer's Sept. 17, 2001 procedure to repair a rotator cuff tear and to shave the labrum, but the hard-throwing righty experienced more discomfort at the start of 2002 Spring Training. He was administered a cortisone injection and opened the season in the Brewers rotation, but the sensation returned after seven starts and forced him back to the disabled list for most of the season.

Neugebauer returned in September and finished the 2002 season 1-7 with a 4.72 ERA in 12 games.

He spent the winter rehabbing at a clinic in Tempe, Ariz. with his roommate and fellow 1998 draft pick J.M. Gold, another prospect currently slowed by a shoulder injury. Neugebauer was excited to join the battle for the No. 4 or 5 spots in the Brewers rotation this spring, but Melvin intimated that a full season at Triple-A might be more productive.

In 61 1/3 innings in the Major Leagues, Neugebauer is 2-8.

"I think, realistically, our plan was that he wasn't going to pitch in the big leagues this year," Melvin said. "We never told Nick that up front, but I think he might have read into some of our comments. Our plan was to have him pitch at Triple-A and get on a regular program and have some consecutive starts, and learn how to pitch instead of throwing."

That plan will have to wait.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com based in Milwaukee. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.