Knee Surgery Sidelines Ryan : Baseball: He is expected to miss three to six weeks after arthroscopic procedure for torn cartilage.

ARLINGTON, Tex. â€”  Strikeout king Nolan Ryan’s farewell tour was put on hold Thursday when he underwent surgery for torn knee cartilage that will sideline him three to six weeks.

Dr. John Conway, orthopedic consultant for the Texas Rangers, said the arthroscopic procedure on the right knee lasted about 40 minutes.

“I feel that the surgery went well,� Ryan, 46, said in a statement from Harris Methodist Hospital in Ft. Worth. “I’ll start my rehabilitation as soon as the doctor gives me clearance to do so.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible and should be better and stronger physically as a result of the surgery.�

Conway said Ryan could start riding a bicycle today and resume his regular training when he felt comfortable doing so.

“I just left him,� Conway said. “He was in good spirits but he was really hurting this morning.�

An examination on Thursday revealed a tear in both the medial and lateral cartilage, the knee’s shock absorber. About one-third of each cartilage was removed.

“I’m optimistic he is going to recover quickly,� Conway said. “I think it would be unreasonable to expect he will be back before three weeks. I’d say three to six weeks would be the window I’m hoping for.�

The doctor was asked if the rain and wet grounds in Wednesday night’s game, when Ryan lasted only four innings, were factors in the injury.

“If he had pulled a hamstring, I’d say yes,� Conway said. “But it was a cartilage tear. That can happen when it’s hot or cold.�

Ryan is beginning his 27th and final season. Conway was asked if Ryan gave any thought to ending his career right now.

“Oh, no, no,� he said. “His whole focus is to be able to play the rest of the season.

“Best case, he misses two or three starts and comes back and throws another no-hitter. Worst case, he’s out three or four months and misses most of the season--I don’t expect that at all.�

Ryan said he felt pain in his knee during a workout Monday but decided to pitch against Baltimore on Wednesday night because it was feeling better. He felt discomfort during his warm-up and was bothered by pain during the start in which he lost, 6-5, to the Orioles.

Ryan gave up eight hits and six runs in four innings and was late covering first base on a routine grounder.

Ryan was not available for comment after the game, not his normal practice after a victory or a loss.

This is the 14th time Ryan has been on the disabled list and the first time he has been sidelined because of a knee problem.

He is 1-1 with a 2.70 earned-run average in two starts this season. He is baseball’s career strikeout leader at 5,677.

Ryan had an ailment-free spring training and defeated the Boston Red Sox, 3-1, in the opener.

Last season Ryan missed six starts because of injuries and lasted less than three innings three other times because of physical problems.

Infielder Manuel Lee, sidelined since March 22, was expected to be activated for today’s game in New York.