Tigers' Ordonez to have surgery, miss 2-3 months
CLEVELAND -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez will be sidelined for two to three months after hernia surgery this week.
Ordonez, who signed a $75 million, five-year contract with Detroit during the offseason, will be operated on by Dr. Bill Meyers on Wednesday on Philadelphia.
"Mags is anxious to get this taken care of and get back to playing," Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said.
The Tigers had estimated Friday that the four-time All-Star would miss at least four to six weeks, but they increased their estimate Tuesday to eight to 12 weeks.
Rand said the estimate could change after the surgery, but the 31-year-old likely would begin a rehabilitation program in three weeks.
"We're all relieved," Tigers manager Alan Trammell said. "Now we can get on with the next phase. If we can get him for half a season, that would be great."
|
|
| Magglio Ordonez has played three games this season. (Getty Images) |
He was sent back to Detroit from Minnesota last Wednesday because of what the team described as a viral infection. Ordonez has felt ill since the end of spring training and has played in just three games, going 0-for-10.
An examination by team doctors revealed Ordonez's hernia two weeks ago. The Tigers then sent him to Dr. Rea Brown, a hernia specialist in Montreal, who confirmed the diagnosis.
He visited Dr. Meyers on Monday and again Tuesday, when the decision was made to have the operation immediately.
Ordonez's physical condition was a subject of concern to many teams when he was on the free-agent market during the offseason. Clubs were wary to commit to a long-term deal because he was coming off surgery on his left knee.
The Tigers got some protection written into the contract, but only if he went on the disabled list for 25 days or more because of an injury to his left knee.
