V-Mart won't need ACL surgery

Victor Martinez (left) won't be able to help Austin Jackson and the Tigers defend their AL Central title.

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DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers say injured designated hitter Victor Martinez does not need reconstructive surgery for his anterior cruciate ligament.

Martinez had microfracture surgery in January and had the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee repaired. He was expected to need another operation for the ACL, but the team says Dr. Richard Steadman determined that wouldn't be necessary. Steadman did perform a procedure recently to help the ACL heal.

Manager Jim Leyland says it's "as good a news as (Martinez) could have got" - but insists it's too early to speculate on a timetable for his return. The team says any chance of Martinez returning to play late this season would be determined when he has a follow-up MRI in July.

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