Michael Brantley injury: Indians centerfielder has surgery for sports hernia

Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Brantley underwent surgery for a sports hernia on the left side of his abdominal wall Thursday, and the 25 year old will need three-to-six weeks to recover.

Dr. William Meyers, who has performed hernia surgeries on Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore, operated on Brantley. The 6'2, 200-pound lefty will begin physical therapy next week at his home in Florida. Barring any setbacks, Brantley will likely be ready to start his offseason conditioning program in mid-November.

Brantley is coming off his most productive season as a major-leaguer. In 2012, he played in 144 games and hit .288 with six home runs, 60 RBIs and 63 runs scored. He stole 12 bases this season. This was the first year in which Brantley, who has seen time with the Indians in parts of four seasons, played more than 66 games.

The Indians are coming off a 68-94 campaign in which they finished two games above the last-place Minnesota Twins in the American League Central. Cleveland fired manager Manny Acta after the regular season and recently hired former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona as Acta's replacement.