SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Giants outfielder Dave Roberts is considering knee surgery that could sideline him indefinitely.
A day after being placed on the 15-day disabled list, Roberts said he had a torn meniscus and is also suffering from a softening of the joint cartilage behind his left kneecap.
Roberts was checked by Giants team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki and will meet with Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Thursday for a second opinion. But the 35-year-old outfielder sounds resigned to the likelihood of having surgery.
“I’m not going to say it’s 100 percent but it’s pretty (certain) I’m going to have to get it done,” Roberts said Wednesday in the Giants’ clubhouse. “The training staff has done everything they can possibly do to keep me out there but I just don’t think I’m doing myself a service or this team a service by trying to go out there on one leg.”
Roberts, who has been hurt since early in spring training, hoped the pain in his knee would subside with rest and rehabilitation. He took five days off when the team was in Arizona but the soreness returned once he resumed playing in the exhibition season.
By Roberts’ own account, he’s had three cortisone shots and had his knee drained three times, in addition to taking anti-inflammatory medications.
“We tried all these different drastic measures but I’m still at square one right now,” Roberts said. “It’s like, what else can we do?”
Roberts has not played since going 0-for-3 against the San Diego Padres on Monday, lowering his batting average to .118 (2-for-17) through San Francisco’s first eight games.
One of the questions Roberts is hoping to get answered before making a decision is how long he might be out. Typical arthroscopic surgeries require 4-6 weeks of rehab but Roberts’ situation is more severe.
“If surgery does take place it’s going to be a little more extensive than the typical scope,” Roberts said. “As far as a timetable, I don’t even know.”
The Giants are taking a wait-and-see approach before deciding on what they’ll do.
“It’s hard to say how long it’s going to be,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “I think we can answer it better after he gets his second opinion.”
The Giants placed Roberts on the disabled list before Tuesday’s game with the Padres and called up outfielder Clay Timpner from Triple-A Fresno. Timpner played as a defensive replacement later that night.
San Francisco now must decide what to do until Roberts return. Randy Winn was in the leadoff spot Tuesday while Eugenio Velez was there Wednesday. Defensively, the Giants used rookie Daniel Ortmeier, Fred Lewis and Timpner to fill Roberts’ absence.
Roberts was also on the disabled list between May 10-June 8 last year because of left elbow surgery.
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com