Indians C Santana OK after knee surgery

[February 09, 2011]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- Indians catcher Carlos Santana has been cleared to resume all on-field activities following a six-month checkup after knee surgery.

Santana injured his knee in a home-plate collision on Aug. 2 in Boston and had surgery to repair a ligament four days later. On Monday, Dr. Richard Parker, the Cleveland Cavaliers' team physician, examined Santana's knee in Arizona and gave him the go ahead to take batting practice and catch.

Santana will begin position-specific agility drills and base-running next week. He's on target to play in games during the first week of the exhibition season.

The 24-year-old was brought up by the Indians last June. He batted .260 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 46 games.

[Associated Press]

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