Mets get bit early this season

NY POST- Happy New Year, the Mets already are hurting.

The euphoria of 2009's disappearance lasted exactly 12 days in Flushing, with the Mets last night announcing that Carlos Beltran underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday and will not be ready for Opening Day on April 5 versus the Marlins.

Two sources told The Post, however, that Beltran elected to have the surgery without the Mets' blessing. The statement released by the Mets indicated Beltran had a worsening of the osteoarthritis in his right knee.

The surgery was performed in Colorado by Beltran's personal physician Dr. Richard Steadman, but Beltran consulted with team physician Dr. David Altchek beforehand. Beltran is expected to resume baseball activities within 12 weeks, but that doesn't address when he would be available to actually play. Beltran played just 81 games last season because of a bone bruise in the knee.

A person familiar with the situation told The Post that the Commissioner's Office and the Players' Association have been alerted that "the Mets are claiming this was done without clearance and that the Mets are threatening to take some form of action. There is a potential issue out there."

Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, said the guarantee language in the slugger's contract requires advance written permission only for elective operations.





Looks like the Injury bug has struck it's favorite target once again, and this time before the season has even started. The Mets highest paid position player Carlos Beltran isn't going to be back until May at the earliest. The sad part is, Beltran didn't even let the Mets know he was going under the knife at this time. Why wouldn't he have the surgery when the season was over? Omar's job is not looking so hot right now. Even right after the signing of Jason Bay, this is not what the Mets needed at this point. Just another reason why the Mets can't get over the hump and get into the discussion of superior teams in the MLB.