MILWAUKEE -- Brewers prospect Taylor Green could miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery this week for a fractured left wrist.

Green, 22 and a third baseman, underwent a procedure in Milwaukee on Wednesday to repair a compression fracture in his left wrist, five months after he was originally hit by a pitch while playing at Class A Brevard County. The Brewers' official word was that Green, who was the organization's Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, would be back in playing shape by May 1.

His representative is hoping for a speedy recovery. Florida-based agent Joshua Kusnick referred to the team's timetable as "ultra-conservative."

"It's my hope that he'll be ready for April," Kusnick said. "Remember that this kid is a hockey player, and he's tough. It wouldn't surprise me if he's ready to go before May 1."

Green's wrist will be in a cast for the next four weeks, Kusnick said.

Green originally suffered the injury in August, but tests originally showed the injury should heal with rest, and he recovered enough to play in the Arizona Fall League. Pain in his wrist persisted, and Green's AFL stint ended with a thud when he was struck by a batted ball and suffered a broken nose.

Subsequent tests revealed the compression fracture in his wrist, Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said.

"Think of it like a dent in a car," Ash wrote in an e-mail.

A very valuable car. The Brewers selected Green, a native of British Columbia, in the 25th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and he had a breakout season in 2007, batting .327 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs in 111 games at Class A West Virginia while earning the Brewers' Robin Yount Award, given to the organization's Minor League player of the year.

In 2008 at Brevard County, Green hit .289 with 15 homers, 73 RBIs and a .382 on-base percentage. He played amid uncertainty about his future after the Brewers traded for Indians ace CC Sabathia, because Green emerged early as the possible "player to be named" in that deal. By October, it emerged that Cleveland had the choice between Green and outfielder Michael Brantley; the Indians chose Brantley.

Assuming he recovers as expected, Green almost certainly will play for Double-A Huntsville in the coming season.