FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins pitcher Eric Milton could be out for six months because of his injured knee, he said Saturday.

	Eric Milton Starting Pitcher Minnesota Twins Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L Sv K ERA 29 13 9 0 121 4.84

"I have to be on crutches for a month so it's going to be a long road," Milton said Saturday. "I saw the video the day after the surgery and it was enlightening."

The left-hander had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday in Park City, Utah, performed by Dr. Thomas Rosenberg. The operation revealed torn and loose cartilage, and inflammation that resembled arthritis.

Milton said Rosenberg told him it would be four to six months before he could return to playing.

"I have to be on crutches for a month so it's going to be a long road,'' Milton said. "I saw the video the day after the surgery and it was enlightening.''

Milton, 27, had the same knee operated on last August to repair a torn medial meniscus and made it back for the last month of the season and the playoffs. He said he thinks the damage that was repaired this time may have happened in June when he hyperextended his knee trying to beat out a groundball against the New York Mets.

Multiple MRIs on his knee showed nothing, despite its constant swelling. Milton said he felt fine throwing until two weeks ago, a couple of days before his first scheduled start of the spring. Milton said Rosenberg told him that some injuries don't show up on the MRI.

Milton said he plans to start swimming next week, and riding a bicycle in two weeks. He is optimistic that it will be closer to four months when he can come back.

"I know we'll be in first place by the time I get back and I just want to be able to help the club as soon as I can,'' Milton said. "I'm not out of the mix for this year.''