GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The unfortunate cycle of injuries and setbacks that has plagued Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, once one of baseball's brightest stars, churned out another blow of bad news on Thursday afternoon.
The Indians announced that Sizemore underwent a minimally invasive procedure on his lower back on Thursday morning, taking him out of the fold for the foreseeable future. According to the ballclub, the required recovery period for the center fielder is estimated between two to three months.
The surgery -- a micro discectomy operation -- was performed by Dr. Barth Green of the University of Miami School of Medicine. Sizemore is expected to return to Arizona within the coming days to continue the rehabilitation process.
The latest setback came during Sizemore's comeback attempt from a right knee injury, initially suffered while running the bases last May. Roughly three weeks ago, while fielding ground balls during routine outfield drills, Sizemore tweaked his lower back. When the pain worsened over the next few days, he ceased baseball activities.
The Indians originally classified the injury as a lower back strain on Friday, though the club never offered a projected timetable for return. Sizemore was forced to stop baseball workouts, as well as his rehab from the knee problem. Opening Day was quickly ruled out as a realistic target date for return.
The back surgery represents the sixth operation in the past four years for the 29-year-old Sizemore, who was known for his all-out style of play in his prime years with the Tribe. Sizemore's decline since 2008 has included two sports hernia operations, surgery on his left elbow, microfracture surgery on his left knee, an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and now back surgery.
Sizemore has been limited to an average of 70 games over the past three seasons. Prior to that stretch, the center fielder played in at least 157 games on average from 2005 through '08. During that run, he made three All-Star teams and won two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger award.
Last season, Sizemore returned to the Indians on April 17 following a 10-month recovery from the surgery on his left knee. He was slowed when the right knee injury flared on May 10. He also had a sports hernia procedure on July 21 before later going under the knife for the knee issue in October.
In between all the injuries, Sizemore hit just .224 with 10 home runs, 21 doubles and 32 RBIs in 71 games for Cleveland. When he first rejoined the Tribe in April, Sizemore went on an offensive tear, launching a home run in his first game back and posting a .282 average with 16 extra-base hits in his first 18 games.
It was a brief flash of the old Sizemore -- a yearly threat to hit 20 home runs, collect 90 RBIs and cross home plate 100 times. That early showing also aided the Indians' decision to retain the center fielder for the 2012 season, though Cleveland did not pick up his $9 million club option.
The Indians declined that option on Oct. 31, but agreed with Sizemore on a new incentives-based deal on Nov. 23. Cleveland re-signed Sizemore for a guaranteed $5 million on a one-year contract, which included the potential to earn another $4 million in bonus money based on plate appearances.
It remains to be seen when Sizemore will again step into the batter's box. For now, the Tribe will once again move forward without Sizemore in the picture.
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