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LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks is expected to miss three months because of a back problem that requires surgery.
General manager Dave Dombrowski says the 28-year-old Dirks will have surgery Monday. Dirks was expected to share the left field spot with Rajai Davis, whom the Tigers signed in the offseason.
Dirks hit .256 with nine home runs in 131 games last year. He hit .322 in 2012.
Dombrowski says Dirks has dealt with back issues since high school, but the problem was bothering him more in recent days. The team had him checked out by a specialist Tuesday and found out the diagnosis.
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