Amezaga out with knee injury

MIAMI, March 12 (UPI) -- Florida Marlins outfielder Alfredo Amezaga will miss 4-to-6 weeks due to a sprained left knee.

He was hurt Sunday while playing for Mexico against Australia at the World Baseball Classic and the injury's severity was diagnosed Wednesday by Dr. Lee Kaplan upon his return to Miami.

Amezaga likely won't be ready for the Marlins' Opening Day contest on April 6 against the Washington Nationals.

"He's very valuable to this team and it's tough," Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest said on the team's Web site. "It can happen anywhere."

The versatile Amezaga, 31, played centerfield, second base, shortstop and third base last season and batted .264 with 32 runs batted in, 41 runs scored and eight stolen bases.

In seven major league seasons, Amezaga has a .253 batting average with 101 RBI, 161 runs scored and 48 stolen bases.

"He is a huge part of our team," said fellow outfielder Cody Ross. "It will be hard to replace him."