Corey Hart Delays Surgery, Gets Second Opinion
By Colin Bennett
The swelling in Corey Hart's knee, a result of his return to workouts and baseball activities this month, originally looked like it would require surgery to repair.
That would leave the right fielder and first baseman out for three to four months, missing opening day and taking another veteran offensive player out of the lineup for Opening Day for the Milwaukee Brewers. But according to Assistant General Manager Gord Ash and the Milwaukee Brewers website, there is word that Corey Hart sent the MRI originally taken of his knee to a doctor in Colorado for a second opinion.
Corey Hart will be anxiously awaiting the results of his doctor's second opinion. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
There's always a good reason for a second opinion. Milwaukee Brewers fans are hoping that the second opinion – that of Vail's Dr. Steadman, if you were wondering – would yield that the arthroscopic surgery was not necessary as doctors in Milwaukee had originally thought.
If that's the case, Corey Hart's recovery could be a lot quicker, and we would be able to see him at first base by opening day. That's the best case scenario.
The worst case is that the second opinion reveals nothing different than any other doctor had told him prior. While his surgery was scheduled for yesterday, it wouldn't necessarily push him into recovery time any later than he is now. The doctors currently examining Hart's MRI are expected to let Hart and the team know what they recommend in the next few days, and after that it would be up to Corey Hart in terms of what comes next.
Knee injuries are always worrisome, especially as players age. Corey Hart is in his thirties and has a history of injury. With the large amounts of lateral movement required of a first baseman, making sure that knee is healthy as possible is obviously the top priority of both Corey Hart and the Milwaukee Brewers.
If you're a fan of Corey Hart, you're thinking the same thing. Missing the first month of the season could be difficult for Hart – with Mat Gamel still in the wings and looking for a place on the team, and Norichika Aoki coming off a very big 2012 Corey Hart will be on the outside looking in for the beginning of the 2013 season.
Not a great place to be if you're a veteran player looking for an extension. No wonder he's getting a second opinion.