The Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas - Injured Cleveland Indians third baseman Aaron Boone needs arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left knee, and will not play this season.

Boone, who tore ligaments in the knee last winter while playing in a pickup basketball game and had reconstructive surgery on Feb. 16, will have the half-hour operation Friday in Vail, Colo. The loose cartilage has caused swelling in the knee.

The surgery, which will be performed by team physician Dr. Mark Schickendantz and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman, will be the third on the knee.

Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Boone, 31, should be ready to resume baseball activities in December.

"We were hopeful of having Aaron for the month of September, but we also knew there was a chance we may not have him," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "He has to be smart as far as doing the best thing to get healthy."

Boone batted .254 in 2003 for the Yankees, who acquired him from the Reds in July for left-handers Brandon Claussen and Charlie Manning.

Boone's home run lifted the Yankees over the Boston Red Sox in last year's AL championship series, but New York terminated his contract after the injury. He was due to make about $5.5 million from the Yankees this year, but received about $1 million in termination pay and was released.

Boone signed a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the Indians on June 26. He had been with the Indians for several weeks rehabbing in an attempt to join the team in September, but returned home to Scottsdale, Ariz., on Monday.

"He thought it was something he could push through, but at this point of the season, the best idea was to have this taken care of so he'll be 100 percent for spring training," Soloff said.

Wedge said Boone is in the Indians' plans for next season.

"He's going to hopefully be a big part of this thing from next year forward," Wedge said.