Earlier this week, Brewers outfielder Corey Hart was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee and underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt spoke to Hart and had possible good news:

#Brewers RF Corey Hart says had three “big” cartilage tears in right knee but all were repaired and he still hopes to be ready for season.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 7, 2012

“Three big cartilage tears” doesn’t sound very good, but Hart’s optimism continued:

Hart is on crutches but he said he’ll be done with those in a couple of days and begin his rehab. Hopes to be playing before camp is done.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 7, 2012

There’s a lot of hope there but no specifics. Wait, here’s some more specifics:

Hart said two pieces of cartilage already had broken off and were floating in the knee, which would have locked it up eventually.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 7, 2012

Sounds like quite a mess in there, actually. Hart is 29 and missed some time in 2011 (32 games) with various minor injuries. The Brewers signed Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki as something of an insurance policy had Ryan Braun been suspended for 50 games; now that Braun’s suspension has been lifted, it seems likely that Aoki will fill in for Hart if he can’t make it back by Opening Day.