SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) – Kansas City Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today and is expected to be out at least a month.

Grudzielanek has a medial meniscus cartilage tear. He first experienced knee pain Friday night and reported it to the training staff Saturday.

Grudzielanek will have surgery in Kansas City. Once he is cleared to travel, he will return to spring training camp in Surprise to begin rehabilitation, the Royals said Sunday.

In a news release, the team said there is no timetable for Grudzielanek’s return. But general manager Dayton Moore offered an estimate on the radio broadcast of Kansas City’s game against the Texas Rangers.

“Hopefully, we’ll get him back in four to six weeks,” Moore said.

The 36-year-old Grudzielanek hit .297 and won his first Gold Glove award last season, his first with the Royals. He had a .994 fielding percentage with only four errors and led AL second basemen with 111 double plays.

AP-ES-03-04-07 1728EST