Nick Swisher undergoes surgery, is out for the year

The Indians have announced that Nick Swisher is undergoing surgery on his knees today:

Nick Swisher is undergoing surgery today +Dr Neil ElAttrache performed an arthroscopic debridement in both knees. Full recovery is 8-10 wks

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 20, 2014

Let me do the math for you: 8 to 10 weeks means Swisher won't be fully recovered until at least the middle of October, which means he is done for the year. (Prove me wrong by appearing in the World Series, bro, prove me wrong.)

This season has been a disaster for Swisher, as he's hitting just .208/.278/.331 in 401 plate appearances, with only 8 home runs, after hitting 20+ in nine consecutive seasons. That .208 batting average is second worst in the American League among qualified hitters, as is his .608 OPS. Factoring in his terrible defense this season, and Swisher has a case as the worst player in MLB this season, among starters.

Swisher is owed another $30 million over the next two seasons, and at this moment, I have a hard time seeing that work out well for the Tribe. Whatever slim hope remains of Swisher returning to his previous position as a good bat to have in the lineup rests in large part on his ability to get (and stay) healthy. The Indians will be better without him in the lineup for the rest of the season, and maybe surgery and some extra rest will allow him to rebound to at least average as a player.