CLEVELAND (AP) -Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore could need arthroscopic surgery if two more weeks of rest don’t calm his inflamed left elbow.
Sizemore, placed on the disabled list Sunday, would likely not return to the lineup until late July if surgery is needed.
Aside from an interleague series at Cincinnati, Sizemore has served exclusively as the designated hitter for the last two weeks. The Indians are hoping that the time spent as a DH, along with the next two weeks of rest, will be enough to calm the inflammation that has hampered Sizemore for much of the season.
The All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner is batting .223, with nine home runs and 31 RBIs. He set career-highs last year with 33 homers, 90 RBIs and 38 stolen bases.
“There is no structural damage to the elbow,” Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said. “The treatment is rest, or stop doing what caused the symptoms. Unfortunately at the elbow, the thing that causes the soreness is extension.”
e Trevor Crowe have been splitting time in center.
Sizemore will be reevaluated when he is eligible to come off the disabled list. If the elbow is still sore, he will then have the surgery, which comes with a scheduled recovery time of four to six weeks.
“Closer to six,” Soloff said.
The Indians are used to playing without their regulars. With reliever Rafael Betancourt going on the 15-day disabled list Monday, the Indians now have eight players on the DL. Only the Tampa Bay Rays have more, with nine.
“We’ll keep our fingers crossed with Grady,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “Hopefully in a couple of weeks, when he picks up a baseball, that (elbow) will be calmed down enough to where he can get back.”
Add A Comment