Brandon Inge to have surgery on both knees

DETROIT, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- All-Star third baseman Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers will undergo surgery on both knees, the American League team announced Thursday.

He played through pain the last three months and the surgery by Dr. Stephen Lemos, the Tigers' team physician, is scheduled for Nov. 3 at the Detroit Medical Center.

Head trainer Kevin Rand said on the team's Web site that Inge had non-surgical options, but surgery was most likely to ensure he would be ready for spring training next season.

"Basically, what it boiled down to is that the timetable looked like it was going to be surer with the surgery," Rand said.

A follow-up MRI on both knees earlier this month persuaded Inge to have surgery.

Last season, in his first all-star nod, he hit .230 with 27 home runs and 84 RBI in 562 at-bats.