All-purpose Alfredo Amezaga, one of the top utility players in the big leagues, will undergo microfracture surgery on his left knee on Monday and he will miss the remainder of the season.

 

Amezaga has been one of the most versatile Marlins since he joined the team in 2006. But the 31-year-old infielder/outfielder has been on the disabled list with a bone bruise in his left knee.

 

The team revealed on Wednesday that Amezaga will have the season-ending surgery performed by Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Co.

 

Amezaga last played on May 16, and he's appeared in 27 games this season, batting .217. A switch-hitter, he has a .251 career batting average, but his value to the club has been his ability to play above-average defense in the infield and center field.

 

The Marlins initially placed Amezaga on the 15-day disabled list on May 21, retroactive to May 17. On Thursday, he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list, and infielder Andy Gonzalez had his contract selected from Triple-A New Orleans.

 

Amezaga played in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico, but he suffered a right knee injury in the first round.

 

Last week, Amezaga had an initial visit to Dr. Steadman.

 

-- Joe Frisaro

http://joefrisaro.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/07/amezaga_season_over.html

Damn, I don't think we'll be seeing him in a Marlins uniform again.

You, such a very funny player in dugout.

I hope you'll get well, Alfredo.

Yeah I doubt we bring him back next year.

Bah, that's the end of the Mez era down here. At least we have Boni to replace him.

That's a shame. Amezaga has always been part of the soul of this team and its just not the same without him in the dugout. I worry about his future, not just with us, but whether or not he can regain the physical ability that made him so useful.

[comes out of the woodwork]

 

Well the argument about EB being redundant just went away.

 

:whistle

 

 

tough break for AA. he's still the man, though