MIAMI (AP) – San Francisco closer Robb Nen will have season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday to repair a partial tear to his right rotator cuff.

“This is serious,” team trainer Stan Conte said before Tuesday night’s game against the Florida Marlins. “Is it career-threatening? Yes, it is. Robb knows that.”

The Giants said they sought medical opinions from the top sports medicine orthopedists in the country.

Nen’s throwing shoulder has not responded to operations in November 2002 and on April 18.

Nen, a three-time All-Star, went 6-2 with a 2.20 ERA last season and had 43 saves.

to help the Giants get to their first World Series since 1989. He had seven saves in the postseason.

Nen is the club’s career saves leader with 206. He’s 11th on the baseball career list with 314 saves.

Alou said Tim Worrell and Felix Rodriguez would split the closer’s job. Worrell (1-1) has seven saves and a 2.12 ERA, while Rodriguez (1-0) has one save and a 2.50 ERA.

AP-ES-05-06-03 1949EDT