Corey Hart to undergo knee surgery, will miss start of season

The Brewers’ situation at first base changed Friday when they learned Corey Hart will need knee surgery that will make him miss at least the first six weeks of the 2013 season.

Hart, who had surgery on his right knee last spring to repair cartilage damage, experienced swelling in that same knee during offseason workouts and was examined in Phoenix by team physician William Raasch. An MRI was performed that revealed a defect in the joint surface.

Raasch will perform surgery Tuesday in Milwaukee to repair that defect, knocking Hart out of action for three to four months from the time of the procedure. Hart’s rehabilitation will include bearing no weight on the knee for six weeks or so, taking him into early March. At that point, he is expected to need six to eight weeks to get ready to play…

The good news is that [Mat] Gamel is still on the roster and can now move back to first base in Hart’s absence. Otherwise, the plan was to use Gamel as a utility player at the infield corners and perhaps in right field.