Griffey injured again, lost for rest of season

CINCINNATI -- Ken Griffey Jr. had surgery to repair a shredded tendon in his right ankle Friday, his sixth major injury since he joined his hometown Cincinnati Reds in 2000.

Griffey also is expected to have surgery in the next few weeks to repair his right shoulder, which he dislocated while trying to make a diving catch on April 5.

Both injuries should be fully headed by the start of spring training, said Dr. Timothy Kremchek, who performed the operation.

Griffey, 33, completely tore one of the two tendons on the outside of the right ankle as he rounded first base while running out a double Thursday night during a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros. The tendon turns the foot outward.

"This is a very rare injury," Kremchek said. "Junior is very depressed. The operation went well. The tendon is repaired."

Griffey has been hurt in all four of his seasons with the Reds, who expected the All-Century outfielder to pack the ballpark, put up big numbers and chase Hank Aaron's home run record.

Instead, Griffey's body has betrayed him and the Reds have been left with a $116.5 million, nine-year investment that will be a major drag on a small-market team for five more seasons.