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Smith optimistic he won't need knee surgery

CINCINNATI -- Six weeks into his rehab from a freak knee injury, Brewers reliever Will Smith is confident he won't need surgery for a torn lateral collateral ligament.

"One hundred percent [confident]," Smith said. "We haven't even talked about that. We haven't even said the 'S' word."

Thursday marked exactly six weeks since Smith tore the ligament on the outside of his right knee while pulling off his shoe. He celebrated by participating in a series of agility drills for the first time in the outfield at Great American Ball Park.

Officially, Smith has hurdles yet to clear before he's free of the specter of surgery.