GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Spring training is over for Cleveland Indians veteran Jason Grilli and rookie Jordan Brown.
Brown will have arthroscopic surgery early next week in Cleveland to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, trainer Lonnie Soloff said Saturday. Grilli is seeking a second opinion on an injury to his right quadriceps.
“We’re looking at a timetable of between four to eight weeks for Jordan to return,” Soloff said. “Jason has a significant injury and we’re gathering further information, but there is a high likelihood of surgery that could cost him the balance of the season.”
Grilli was injured while running on Friday, minutes before Brown went down during outfield drills.
“Jason’s injury is pretty uncommon in a conditioning drill,” Soloff said. “He did it as he was slowing down and turning. You see it more often with football players.”
Brown understands the process of injury rehab. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee following the 2007 season.
“I missed a lot of time in 2008 because I was stupid and tried to come back too soon,” Brown said. “I felt OK, so I went out and ran hills. Not smart.
“Hopefully, this is a tiny little setback,” Brown continued. “If anybody is used to setbacks it is this guy.”
Brown hit .336 to win the Triple-A International League batting title in 2009, but didn’t get a late-season callup to Cleveland. New manager Manny Acta, however, had told the 26-year-old that he wanted to see what he could do this spring.
“You want to make an impression on a new staff,” Brown said. “Not just offensively, but defensively and running the bases. I’m on an emotional roller coaster right now.
“I felt something just going to catch a ball. It’s a step I’ve taken a million times,” he said. “The doctor said that knees are funny, that something can happen with ordinary movement. I guess it did.”
Grilli, 33, had signed a minor league contract in December. He has pitched in 238 career games for five teams, compiling an 18-18 record with two saves and a 4.74 ERA.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
