The 41-year-old right-hander, one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball history, will have the season-ending operation Monday after the rehabilitation program preferred by the club didn't work.

"Coming back from this surgery at 31 would be an enormous challenge, at 41 more so," Schilling wrote on his blog, 38pitches.com on Friday. "BUT, if that is an option at least I'll be able to make that decision with all the cards on the table, and it will end on terms I choose. I won't come back throwing 85 with so-so crap. If there is not an option to come back and be good, I won't."

Schilling's bullpen session last Friday did not go well. He was examined Monday by his personal physician, Dr. Craig Morgan, who had recommended surgery during spring training. The Red Sox insisted on a more conservative approach of rehabilitation.

The 20-year veteran, who hasn't pitched since last season, announced plans for surgery Friday on WEEI radio. Morgan, who operated on Schilling's right shoulder in 1995 and 1999, told The Associated Press that he would perform the operation in Wilmington, Del., where he is based.

"This could conceivably be a career-ending procedure," Morgan said by cell phone from Naples, Fla. "We're doing this so that Curt Schilling will have a totally functional, pain-free shoulder for the rest of his life."

Morgan estimated recovery time at six-to-eight months.

"I talked to him yesterday a couple of times," general manager Theo Epstein said Friday. "He's realistic about it. He said, 'There's a very good chance that I've thrown my last pitch.'

"But I think he's also prepared to try to work hard this winter and come back in the second half of the season somewhere."

The decision to have surgery didn't surprise Epstein or manager Terry Francona, who have stayed updated on Schilling's rehab. The Red Sox have a deep starting staff without him.

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