Quentin won't require knee surgery

SAN DIEGO -- For the first time since learning that his season was finished because of a bone bruise in his left knee, Padres' outfielder Carlos Quentin talked about avoiding major surgery.

"No surgery, that's a relief, I just need some time to heal," Quentin told MLB.com. "It's nice to finally have a course of action for my knee."

Quentin, who last played July 26, had a second opinion recently on his knee by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles. He's also the Dodgers' head physician. There was the possibility of microfracture surgery, a serious procedure and involves a lengthy rehabilitation period.

But Quentin was informed that he had an insufficiency fracture of the left knee, which is a subgroup of a stress fracture and is caused by stress upon a weakened bone.

Quentin hit .177 this season with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 130 at-bats. The knee has bothered him since Spring Training, when he injured it attempting a diving catch. He missed the first 39 games of the season because of it.

On some days, the knee felt good, on some days it didn't. Now, at least, Quentin said he has a plan to get the knee healthy for his offseason work.

"I have a course of action for my knee. The damage from the bone bruise was significant enough, there's a possible insufficiency fracture. Once I heal up, I feel confident I'll be back to full strength. I'm optimistic about that," said Quentin, who is under contract for next season.

Quentin said he received some bone marrow injections to help facilitate healing and he's also wearing a brace to take pressure off the bruise.