Dale Murphy Undergoes Knee Surgery

Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on a knee today, should be at full strength within five weeks, his doctor said.

“Everything went real well, and he should be OK,” said Dr. Joe Chandler, who performed the surgery at Piedmont Hospital.

“The torn portion was removed, and he should be able to start exercising very shortly. He should be running in three weeks and full-strength from three to five weeks.”

Chandler said that timetable means that Murphy probably will miss the teams opening workout Feb. 22 but should be ready by the first exhibition game March 2.

Chandler said there should be no lingering effects from the surgery.

Murphy noticed a clicking feeling in his right knee while playing with his five sons, ages 9 and younger, during the weekend, team spokesman Jim Schultz said.

“It was kind of strange,” Murphy said. “I wasn’t having any pain or swelling, but as I bent down, I would hear strange noises down there.”

Murphy said the injury probably wasn’t new.

“It just manifested itself but it hasn’t been any problem until now,” he said. “It could have developed any time in the last year or two.”

Murphy, a two-time Most Valuable Player for the National League, had an off year in 1988, finishing the season with a .226 batting average, 24 home runs and 77 RBIs.