CINCINNATI (AP) - Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez is scheduled for surgery Monday on his troublesome left knee, which has sidelined him all season.
Gonzalez sustained a compression fracture in the knee at the start of spring training, and it hasn't fully healed. The surgery will end his chances of returning this season.
"It was a tough decision, but you don't want to wait too long," Gonzalez said Wednesday. "I worked hard through last week, but we had an MRI and it doesn't get better. It's still the same.
"It's hard. I want to play. If I get it done now, I can be ready for spring training. I don't want to lose another spring training."
The Reds signed Gonzalez to a $14 million, three-year deal before last season. The 31-year-old shortstop missed 28 games while attending to his ailing son last season, and ended up batting .272 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs. He'll make $5,375,000 next season. His contract includes a mutual option for 2010 at $6 million, with a $500,000 buyout.
