Indians’ Sizemore undergoes abdominal surgery


ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo

Cleveland Indians' Grady Sizemore (24) slides into second with a double in front of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino (11) during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Baltimore. Sizemore left the game with an injury on the play. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Grady Sizemore believes he can still help the Cleveland Indians this season after having abdominal surgery.

The three-time All-Star outfielder had a 20-minute hernia operation performed Thursday in Philadelphia by Dr. William Meyers. Sizemore went on the disabled list Monday after tweaking his right knee while running out a double in Baltimore Sunday. It aggravated a bone bruise in the knee sustained sliding into second base on May 10.

He also sustained the abdominal problem on that play two months ago and went on the disabled list. When the knee progressed, the 28-year-old decided to return to the lineup and tried to play through the abdominal discomfort.

“The injury, which resulted in today’s surgery, has been bothering me since the slide in May,” Sizemore said in a statement released by the team. “Knowing the two areas are related and also learning my knee condition is not serious gives me peace of mind going forward that I can finish the season healthy and help contribute to an exciting pennant chase.”

Sizemore has played only 61 games this year, and is batting .237. He has 10 homers, 29 RBIs and no stolen bases. Leading up to the injury, he hit .400 (8 for 20) with two homers, two doubles and four RBIs in his last six games.

Cleveland has been hit hard by injuries, but is tied for the AL Central lead with Detroit. Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is sidelined by a broken left thumb. Designated hitter Travis Hafner, opening day starter Fausto Carmona, first baseman Matt LaPorta and others have also been on the disabled list.

Sizemore, who averaged 27 homers, 29 steals and 116 runs from 2005 thru 2008, has spent much of the past three years on the DL. He played hurt in 2009, but after 106 games, he finally had an operation on his left elbow in September. That was followed a few days later by abdominal surgery.

Sizemore played only 33 games a year ago before hurting his left knee sliding into second in Baltimore. He had microfracture surgery and began this season on the DL.

Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Sizemore should begin rehabilitation today, saying:“His prognosis is good. We are cautiously optimistic he will return to full baseball activities in four to six weeks.”

Soloff said Sizemore’s left knee has held up well despite all the stress put on his body by the other injuries. He also said the two abdominal surgeries are unrelated.

KIPNIS CALLED UP

The Indians called up second baseman Jason Kipnis from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday. Luis Valbuena was optioned to Columbus, and Jared Goedert was designated for assignment to make room for Kipnis on the 40-man roster.

Kipnis, a left-handed hitter, is expected to share second base with Orlando Cabrera. The former Arizona State center fielder is not expected to play the outfield unless something unforeseen happens.

Michael Brantley (heat exhaustion) and Travis Buck (hit in head with pitch) are expected to be available tonight against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.

Kipnis, 24, hit .279 (95-for-341) with 64 runs, 15 doubles, nine triples, 12 homers, 55 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 91 games at Columbus.

Information from The Cleveland Plain Dealer was used in this report.