Robby Hammock, slated to be the club's everyday catcher, aggravated his left knee during recent workouts and underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday in Los Angeles to repair some surface fraying and cartilage damage in the bed of his kneecap.
Hammock will report to Tucson next weekend with pitchers and catchers. He will undergo rehabilitation with the club's medical staff. He could be out several days or several weeks, but no timetable has immediately been set for his return.
''We will closely monitor his progress during rehab, but will not set a timetable, rather let nature take its course," said Dr. Michael Lee, Diamondbacks team physician.
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With Hammock sidelined, the Diamondbacks signed veteran catcher Bobby Estalella to a minor league contract and have invited him to spring training.
Estalella, 29, has spent parts of eight seasons in the majors, the past two with the Colorado Rockies. He appeared in 46 games last year before an elbow inflammation landed him on the disabled list for the remainder of the season.
A career .217 hitter with 46 homers and 143 RBIs in 298 games, Estalella also has spent time with Philadelphia, San Francisco and the New York Yankees.
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