National Basketball Association

Blazers' Fernandez has procedure on back

Published Dec. 9, 2009 12:30 a.m. ET

foxsports

Following the microdiscectomy, the Blazers put the timetable for Fernandez's return at anywhere from four to six weeks.

"The procedure was successful and we can now turn our attention to getting Rudy healthy and back on the court," Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. "He's been under a lot of pain and we look forward to Rudy returning healthier than ever."

Fernandez, the second-year player from Spain, was averaging 8.6 points, 2.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 23.3 minutes a game this season. He missed two games with the injury before having surgery.