Sizemore Back to DL
By Editorial Staff
Less than a month after his season debut, Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore is back on the team’s disabled list with a bruised right knee. Sizemore injured his knee on a hard slide into second base last Tuesday in a game against Tampa Bay.
Sizemore came into the 2011 campaign on the Indians DL, still recovering from surgery on his opposite knee. The injury he sustained last May required microfracture surgery and sidelined the center fielder for the remainder of the 2010 season.
Since returning to the team April 17th, the former All Star has looked like the Sizemore of old. Over 18 games he’s maintained a line of .283/.333/.641. His high slugging % is attributed to Sizemore collecting 10 doubles and 6 homeruns in only 18 games.
The Indians allowed Sizemore to finish that May 10th game in which he was injured, but he has not returned to the diamond since. Originally Cleveland hoped their center fielder wouldn’t have to miss extended time or make another trip to the disabled list.
Treatment and rehab have not been enough and today the team announced they are placing Grady on the DL, retroactive to May 11th. The team would rather be safe than sorry with Sizemore given his injury history.
The club has recalled Travis Buck from their AAA squad to take Sizemore’s roster spot. Buck started the year with the Indians but was sent down after Sizemore was activated.
Cleveland will likely look to outfielder Michael Brantley to man center in Sizemore’s absence. Brantley was the acting center fielder before Sizemore’s return in April.