Brewers starter Gallardo to have surgery Tuesday

5/11/2008 2:13 PM

MILWAUKEE (AP) -Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo will have surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right knee and will likely miss the rest of the season.

Gallardo said there was no chance he could avoid having surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and he will complete his rehabilitation in Milwaukee. He hopes to return in September or October, but players typically need four to six months to recover.

``I wish I was talking about my performances,'' Gallardo said Sunday in the clubhouse with his knee still wrapped.

The 22-year-old right-hander was expected to play a prominent role as the No. 2 starter behind Ben Sheets after he went 9-5 with a 3.67 ERA following his midseason callup last year.

But Gallardo, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee just before spring training, made three starts before being injured while trying to hurdle a baserunner against the Chicago Cubs on May 1.

Gallardo was on the ground for a few minutes, but managed to walk it off and keep pitching, completing the fifth inning and another. In his three starts, he didn't have a decision with a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings.

Since the injury, the Brewers have been in a tailspin, losing seven of eight.