Veteran Orix Buffaloes slugger Kazuhiro Kiyohara will undergo knee surgery for the second time this year and likely be sidelined for the rest of the season. The former Seibu Lions and Yomiuri Giants star said Wednesday the surgery will take place at a Kobe hospital on Friday after having had his left knee examined in Los Angeles last week. It is expected to take him about six months to return to action. Kiyohara, who will turn 40 in August, has hit 525 homers, fifth on the all-time list in Japanese baseball. He underwent endoscopic surgery in February and has made no appearances for the top team in his second season with the Buffaloes.
