DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders could be sidelined until around the All-Star break after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls and tearing the meniscus in his left knee.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday the injury occurred a day earlier and is expected to require surgery. Saunders will seek a second opinion before making a decision.
Saunders said he felt a pop after stepping awkwardly on the sprinkler head while going after a ball at the team’s training facility.
“I just tried to walk off the field and not draw any attention to myself. Then, when I got into the training room, my knee felt like it was getting tight on the inside,” Saunders said. “I’ve never had any issues with my knees, so that’s when I knew that something was wrong.”
Sanders was on crutches Thursday. Anthopoulos said the team will look internally for a replacement but is open to a trade or free-agent signing.
“I actually started making some calls last night with respect to seeing who else could be out there,” Anthopoulos said. “There are some teams out there with some outfield depth. If we do something, it will be toward the end of spring.”
Anthopoulos said Saunders could return earlier than expected if there are no complications.
“It is just one of those things,” Anthopoulos said. “Bad luck, and a tough loss, but we’ll get through it and he will be back. We’re still going to have him for quite a bit of time.”
The 28-year-old Saunders was acquired by the Blue Jays in December from Seattle for pitcher J.A. Happ, and Saunders was projected to be a starter. He hit .273 with eight homers and 34 RBI in 78 games with the Mariners last season, when he made two trips to the disabled list because of shoulder and oblique injuries.
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