Twins' Crede to have back surgery

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Twins third baseman Joe Crede plans to have another surgery on his injured back.

Crede, out for the season, said the procedure by Dr. Andrew Dossett, a Dallas orthopedist, will remove fluid from a herniated disk that is impeding on a nerve. Crede expects to have the operation Friday. The date will be finalized Monday.

"It's something I have to do if I want to get back out there," Crede said before Sunday's game against Detroit.

Recovery time is about two months.

The 31-year-old Crede has had two major operations in the past two years, the last in October. He played in only 144 games with 502 at-bats from 2007-08.

Hoping he could solidify third base, Minnesota signed Crede to a one-year, incentive-laden contract before spring training. He batted .225 with 15 homers and 48 RBIs in 90 games this season.

Crede missed time throughout the year with various injuries -- right shoulder, bruised hand, bruised knee and a sore hamstring -- but a lower back strain landed him on the disabled list from Aug. 22 to Sept. 8. He started only one game thereafter, going 0 for 4 with four strikeouts Sept. 13.

"It's beyond frustrating. I'm really just disgusted with it, but at the same time you've got to keep a positive outlook. The bottom line is I want to feel better," he said. "It's just another speed bump on the road. Hopefully, this will be the last time, we'll move on and play another 10 years."

Crede would like to be back with Minnesota in 2010.

"This whole year has been weird," he said. "I wish I would have been able to do more and stay healthy."

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