PITTSBURGH ? (AP) ? Jody Gerut was placed on the minor-league restricted list Thursday by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the outfielder decided to have right knee surgery the team doesn't think is necessary.

 

The move means Gerut, who was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis during the Pirates' final spring training

cutdown last month, won't be paid his $875,000 salary. He also must pay any travel costs associated with an operation that, according to Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield, is likely to be performed soon.

 

Gerut, who hit 22 homers as a rookie with the Indians in 2003, was limited to 170 at-bats with the Indians, Cubs and Pirates last season after undergoing reconstructive right knee surgery.

 

The 28-year-old Gerut was expected to make the Pirates' opening day roster as a spare outfielder after hitting .349 during spring training, playing regularly with no apparent sign of any knee problem.

 

But after unexpectedly being demoted to Indianapolis on March 31, Gerut called Littlefield that night and said he was again having problem with his right knee. Doctors representing the team and Gerut agreed he had patella tendinitis in his knee, but the Pirates feel he is healthy enough to play.

 

"There were no significant changes in his MRI,'' Littlefield said. "We don't think surgery is necessary based

on regular playing in spring training and no complaints (from Gerut). His right knee tested out stronger in certain testing we do.''

 

Gerut reported being fine all spring and gave no sign he was hurting until being sent to the minors, manager Jim Tracy said.

 

"I never heard any complaints on any given day that, 'I can't do this or that because my knee is killing me,''' Tracy said. "I never heard anything like that. Not one thing.''

Well did it ever occur to them that maybe he didnt say anything in order to make the team?