"The Indians have a problem. Yeah, yeah, I know. What else is new?

At issue is Grady Sizemore and what to do with him. Not now, not in 2011. Most of this season has been taken care of by doctors and trainers, as well as strength and conditioning coaches trying to keep him on the field.

So far, it hasn't worked. Sizemore will miss at least four to six more weeks after undergoing surgery on Thursday for a sports hernia. He already was on the disabled list for the second time this year with a right knee contusion (a bone bruise, which can linger for months).

He began the season 2› weeks late, because he needed time to recover from 2010 microfracture surgery on his left knee, a career-threatening operation that he weathered very well.

For three years, injuries have ruined his resume. If it's not one thing, it's another with Sizemore, all related to keeping various body parts functioning.

In 2009, he was on the disabled list twice for a total of more than eight weeks with elbow problems. In 2010, his shredded left knee cost him more than half a season, and this year he has missed six weeks and counting. The late start combined with the right knee bruise plus the post-op recovery from sports hernia surgery will run his total of missed days to at least 70 and maybe more.

It's kind of silly to blame Sizemore for getting hurt so often. Granted, he puts himself in harm's way by ferociously attacking a base when he slides and by his violent collisions with fences. For Sizemore, there is no other way. He doesn't know how to play in a more passive manner."