LaPorta to Rehab for Several Months

After playing the final games of the season favoring an aching left hip and a hyperextended left toe, Matt LaPorta is finally good to go…well, sort of. LaPorta had surgery in Vail, Colorado on Tuesday to patch up the two issues, but will need between four and six months to rehabilitate.

LaPorta is expected to be a regular in the Indians lineup, especially after finishing the 2009 season on a positive note for what was otherwise, a negative situation. He batted .273 with 6 home runs, 12 doubles, and 17 RBIs in 39 games. However, his season ended a few innings earlier than expected when he jammed his toe in a Fenway Park wall during a loss to the Red Sox.

The toe injury was described as the more serious of the two, and referred to as a “turf toe” injury. “Turf toe” made a major appearance with two-sport star Deion Sanders in the 1990’s and did have an effect on his career.

LaPorta, who is expected to be a fixture in the middle of Cleveland’s lineup next season, could possibly be slowed during Spring Training and the start of the 2010 season. He joins Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Perez, and Grady Sizemore as the Indians to have major surgery to close the season.