Minnesota.Twins.MLB.com

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

Jason Kubel will be seeing an orthopedic surgeon to treat his injured knee. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

On Wednesday while participating in his first game with the Arizona Fall League, Kubel was involved in an outfield collision with another player as he attempted to catch a fly ball.

Kubel was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and is believed to have more extensive ligament damage that will require surgery. Renowned orthopedist Dr. Frank Jobe will examine the 22-year-old at his clinic in Los Angeles in the next couple of days.

It is already expected that Kubel will be out of action from nine months to a year, but should make a full recovery.

"It's a bad deal," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Friday. "It's going to be a long ordeal. It's a shame."

Kubel emerged as one of the Twins' best prospects in 2004 and was expected to challenge for a spot in the starting lineup in 2005. After batting .377 at Double-A New Britain and .343 at Triple-A Rochester, he was called up to the Majors on Aug. 31 to be eligible for postseason play.

In 23 games with Minnesota, Kubel batted .300 with two homers and seven RBIs. He was 1-for-7 against the Yankees in the American League Division Series.

"This is a serious injury. I feel bad for Jason," Ryan said. "He had a tremendous year for us."

This development may force the Twins to change their planning for next season. Kubel or Lew Ford was expected to take over right field if the club decided not to bring back arbitration eligible Jacque Jones.

Kubel was one of the six Twins prospects who have been continuing their development as members of the Grand Canyon Rafters in the AFL.

Five of the six players spent time at the Major League level in 2004.

Shortstop Jason Bartlett went 2-for-3 and reached base four times Wednesday during an 8-4 win over the Peoria Seguaros. The 24-year-old, the organization's top middle infield prospect, split 2004 between Triple-A Rochester and the Twins. It's possible that Bartlett could play a role for Minnesota in 2005 since veteran shortstop Cristian Guzman's option wasn't picked up for next season.

Young reliever Jesse Crain, who pitched against the Yankees in the American League Division Series only two weeks ago, allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning in his first AFL game after reporting to the Rafters.