Cavs' Varejao hospitalized with blood clot, out for rest of season

Cavs center Anderson Varejao’s All-Star-caliber year took another turn Monday when the team announced his hospitalization for a blood clot in his right lung that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Varejao was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday, the team said, and is being treated with blood thinners. According to a news release, he will remain there for several days for treatment and observation and will take medication for about three months.

A full recovery is expected, the Cavs said.

"Clearly our players' health is our top concern and we are disappointed for Anderson, and his family,” Cavs general manager Chris Grant said in a statement. “We know what a competitor he is and how much he wants to be on the court helping his teammates. In the meantime, he has our full support and we look forward to welcoming him back as he recovers."

Varejao underwent surgery on Jan. 10 to repair a split quadriceps muscle near his ailing right knee that was expected to sideline him another six to eight weeks. He was initially hurt Dec. 18 against the Toronto Raptors and later sought a second opinion from Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo.

This marks the third consecutive season that injury interrupted Varejao’s season before the All-Star break. Injuries to his ankle, wrist and knee/quadriceps have limited Varejao to 81 games over the last three seasons.

He appeared in 25 games this season – the same number he played in last year until he suffered a fractured wrist – and was leading the league in rebounding (14.4 average) at the time of his last surgery.

Varejao’s 2012-13 averages in rebounds, points (14.1) and assists (3.4) are all highs for his nine-year career.

Varejao is under team control for two more years, although the Cavs hold a $9.8 million option for the 2014-15 season.