Fort Myers, FL (My Sportsbook) - Minnesota Twins pitcher Eric Milton is expected to be out longer than originally anticipated. Following arthroscopic surgery on Milton's left knee Wednesday, doctors discovered another problem.

There is loose cartilage that is causing friction with the top of the knee and the result is moderate swelling. Milton will walk with crutches for the next two weeks, at which time he can begin rehabilitation. Before the surgery, it was hoped that the lefthander could return to the mound one week after Opening Day.

"It was a little more severe than what we hoped for," said Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire. "Supposedly, everything went well with the surgery but there was some definite problems he had in there."

Milton has been a fixture in the middle of Minnesota's starting rotation for the last half-decade. With 41 total wins between 2000 and 2002, the 27 year- old was a key cog in the Twins' surprise run to last season's American League Championship Series, which they lost to the world champion Angels.

Last year, the lefthander went 13-9 with a 4.84 earned run average in 29 starts.

Milton was expected to return to the Twins' camp in Fort Myers on Friday after having the surgery in Park City, Utah.