CINCINNATI — Reds right fielder Jay Bruce had surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee and will be sidelined for about a month.
Bruce was scratched from the starting lineup Sunday because of a sore knee but pinch hit and struck out during a 4-3, 10-inning win over Milwaukee. He had tests Sunday night that detected the tear.
The Reds have been hit hard by injuries since spring training. They’re currently missing starters Mat Latos and Tony Cingrani, catcher Devin Mesoraco, closer Aroldis Chapman and now their cleanup hitter.
Also, centerfielder Billy Hamilton missed the last three games with a sprained left hand, hurt while he made a diving catch. He’s expected back for a series that starts Tuesday in Boston.
Bruce has been in a slump, going 3 for 17 in the last six games. He’s batting .216 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 30 games.
Cincinnati opened the season with eight players on the disabled list, the most in the majors. The Reds have started to get many of them back, only to have others get hurt. The Reds took three of four from first-place Milwaukee over the weekend, leaving them 5½ games out in the NL Central.
Jonathan Broxton returned from the disabled list in mid-April, completing his comeback from forearm surgery, and taking over as closer. Utility player Skip Schumaker dislocated his left shoulder during spring training but returned over the weekend.
Chapman got hit in the forehead by a line drive on March 19 and had surgery to install a plate above his eye. He’s on an injury rehabilitation assignment in the minors and is expected back later this week.
Latos had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee on Feb. 14 and later developed a sore forearm, leaving his return indefinite. Cingrani went on the disabled list last week with a sore shoulder.
Mesoraco pulled a muscle in his side and opened the season on the disabled list. He was activated the second week of the season and was Cincinnati’s top hitter when he pulled his left hamstring and went back on the disabled list.
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