Willie Bloomquist To Have Surgery On Ailing Knee

Seattle Mariners utilityman Willie Bloomquist is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery on his right knee on Friday according to The Associated Press.

Bloomquist has been on the disabled list since July 24th after feeling discomfort the night before. He is unsure how he suffered the injury but it was being referred to as a bruised knee.

The decision for surgery was made after Bloomquist got a second opinion Thursday from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The procedure will be performed by the Mariners medical director, Dr. E. Edward Khalfayan. A timeline has not been set, but similar cases tend to sideline players anywhere from 2-8 weeks or possibly longer, depending on the severity of the injury.

Bloomquist signed a two-year contract in this past offseason that pays him $2.8 million this year and $3 million next. He is hitting .278 in 47 games while playing at seven different positions for the Mariners.

With the dazzling play of shortstop Chris Taylor since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma, Brad Miller stands in line as the guy to fill in for Bloomquist while he is out.

In other injury news, Michael Saunders began a rehab assignment Thursday in Tacoma and is expected back with the big club soon.

Corey Hart has no structural damage in his knee. Though it’s unlikely the way the team is set up now that Hart will have a role with this club when he comes back.