Now experiencing soreness in his right knee, outfielder Grady Sizemore is officially done for the 2012 season, a year in which he played zero games after being signed to a one-year deal in the offseason.
Missing the bulk of the season following a Spring Training back injury, the 30-year-old Sizemore has undergone operations on his back, left elbow and both knees, along with a pair of sports hernia procedures in the last four years alone.
“It’s sad,” Indians manager Manny Acta said regarding his one-time MVP candidate. “I won’t call it disappointing. I’m just sad for the human being that he is, and the type of player that he is. Especially for me, because one of the things that attracted me the most to this job was Grady Sizemore, being able to have a player that was going to help me win ballgames by himself.”
Sizemore, the former fan favorite who was once called the best player in the AL Central, was signed to a one-year, incentive-laden contract with a base salary of $5 million over the winter despite hitting just .224 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 71 games in 2011. Over the four seasons prior, Sizemore hit a combined .234 with 28 homers, 109 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 210 games. This compares to the period between 2005-08, when Sizemore hit .281 with 107 homers, 325 RBIs and 115 stolen bases in 639 games, making three All-Star appearances and garnering two Gold Glove Awards.
“A lot of things have happened over the last three, four years that have been completely out of his control,” said Acta. “The guy played the game right. He was an elite player in this league. Unfortunately, over the last three or four seasons, he hasn’t been able to do it.”
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