Tribe's Lofton Has Surgery

All-Star center fielder Kenny Lofton of the Cleveland Indians had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn rotator cuff in the left shoulder he injured while diving into first base during the AL playoffs.

Lofton, expected to be sidelined until at least next season's All-Star break, had the surgery in Birmingham, Ala,. by Dr. James Andrews, whom Lofton had sought for a second opinion after the Indians' team doctors found the tear.

Lofton was injured while sliding headfirst into first during Game 5 of the AL division series against the Boston Red Sox. He had considered not having surgery and just rehabilitating the shoulder.

Lofton, the Indians' leadoff hitter, batted .301 with seven homers and 39 RBIs last season, but played in only 120 games because of a hamstring injury. He got off to a great start in '99, batting .386 in April, but his production fell off dramatically in the second half.

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