Detroit Tigers closer Troy Percival will know soon if he can return next season or face that his career is over. Percival, 35, has been sidelined since July 10 because of a muscle tear in his right forearm. The 11-year veteran, who recorded all but eight of his 324 career saves with the Angels before joining Detroit as a free agent last winter, will meet with Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum today. He should learn then if he has pitched his last game in the major leagues. "It's possible. If I have surgery and I have to sit out next year, I'd be done," Percival said yesterday. "Either he'll say this is going to heal up enough to pitch, or we're going to have to do surgery ? which I don't want to do. With surgery, I have no chance and I'll miss all next year because it's a minimum of 12 months." The Tigers signed Percival to a two-year, $12 million contract in November. He was 1-2 with a 5.76 earned-run average in 26 appearances this season and had three blown saves in 11 opportunities.