DETROIT (AP) — Tigers star Victor Martinez is now recovering from surgery on his left knee to repair an injury that is expected to keep him out of the 2012 lineup.
The team announced Monday that Martinez had microfracture surgery on Friday. He is projected to have ACL reconstruction surgery on the same knee in six to eight weeks.
Detroit signed Prince Fielder last week to make up for the loss of Martinez, who tore his left ACL during offseason conditioning.
Martinez hit .330 with 103 RBIs in 2011, helping the Tigers win the division in his first season with them. He signed a $50 million, four-year contract before last season.