Update: Arnett undergoes knee surgery

UPDATE on Feb. 7 at 11:44 a.m.: Arnett underwent an ACL reconstruction this morning in Milwaukee and will be sidelined 5-6 months.

Just when it appeared Eric Arnett had turned a corner in his career, the Brewers’ former first-round Draft pick is expected to miss a significant chunk of the 2013 season with a knee injury.

Arnett, the 26th overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Indiana University, will be examined by Dr. William Raasch on Wednesday to evaluate a possible torn ACL in his right knee. If surgery is required, it would be on Thursday, and it would sideline Arnett for 5-6 months.

That surgery is likely, because Arnett has already been examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Reds’ head physician, who recommended the procedure.

Arnett told Brewers officials he was injured doing shuttle runs in preparation for Spring Training.

It’s a stroke of bad luck for a star-crossed player who appeared to make strides in 2012. Arnett, now 25, is 8-19 with a 5.30 ERA in four Minor League seasons, but that includes a relatively successful conversion to relief in 2012 at advanced Class A Brevard County, where Arnett posted a 3.56 ERA and held right-handers to a .224 batting average over 33 appearances.

“He was much better. There was some optimism there,” Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash said. “In short spurts, he appeared to be more comfortable, so this is definitely a setback. But [assuming he needs surgery], he will just have to get geared up for instructional league and make up for lost time.”

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