Red Sox C Varitek undergoes knee surgery

BOSTON (Ticker) - Boston Red Sox All-Star catcher Jason Varitek underwent arthroscopic surgery for a cartilage tear in his left knee on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.

The surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital by Red Sox medical director Dr. Thomas Gill, who said the procedure went as planned.

Varitek was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after injuring his knee rounding second base in the second inning of Monday’s 9-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Varitek, who had been on the disabled list just once in his first nine seasons, was playing in his 1,000th career game as a catcher Monday. The switch hitter is batting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBI.

Also Thursday, the Red Sox sent reliever Keith Foulke to Class AAA Pawtucket of the International League for a rehab assignment. He has been on the DL since June 12 with right elbow tendinitis.