"Travis Hafner might have to wait until next year to continue his career as the Indians' designated hitter.

His foot injury is serious enough that 15 days on the disabled list might not fix it, and there's a chance he will need surgery.

"Travis has a strained tendon in the plantar [bottom] aspect of his right foot," head trainer Lonnie Soloff said Tuesday. "He is currently wearing a walking boot. We're in the process of seeking other medical opinions on the best course of treatment. He will be out at least 15 days, and it could be longer."

Even 15 days without Hafner will place a serious strain on a lineup that already is on life support. Inasmuch as the schedule will be played out in five weeks, a longer absence would virtually end Hafner's season.

Certainly, if he must undergo surgery, Hafner will be done until 2012, the final year of his guaranteed contract.

Is surgery a possibility? "That could be," Soloff said.

Soloff's indecision is based on the fact that the Tribe isn't yet sure what type of remedy will work best.

"If he does have surgery, it's undecided right now exactly what they would do," Soloff said. "Rest and immobilization is the traditional treatment."

Hafner underwent an MRI scan, but the results didn't dictate an obvious treatment.

"The purpose of the MRI was to determine if Travis could remain active [on the field]," Soloff said. "After that, we investigate the best treatment options."

Although Hafner injured the foot running the bases after he singled in the eighth inning of Sunday's loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, his current problem is a recurrence of an injury he sustained in late April. Soloff said it is the same injury; the difference is that this time it is more severe."