Brewers' Hart faces knee surgery
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Corey Hart will have surgery on his right knee on Tuesday and could miss three to four months of the 2012 season.
Hart had surgery on the same knee last spring to repair cartilage damage. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Hart's knee swelled during offseason workouts and a recent MRI found a problem in the joint surface.
In 149 games last season, Hart batted .270 with 30 home runs and 83 RBI.
His likely replacement at first base to start the season will be Mat Gamel.
In other news, the Brewers avoided arbitration with right-handers John Axford, Burke Badenhop and Marco Estrada. All three agreed to one-year contracts Friday.
Axford's contract was $5 million plus incentives, Badenhop's $1.55 million and Estrada's $1.955 million.
