Mets admit Reyes may need surgery
How will Jose Reyes perform in 2010?
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CHICAGO - While multiple sources have said that Jose Reyes is likely to require surgery for a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee, as Newsday first reported on Thursday, the Mets only acknowledged today that surgery “is an option” for their All-Star shortstop.
The team announced that Reyes “continues to receive physical therapy” for the hamstring issue, which has been complicated by scar tissue from the lengthy rehab process. Jerry Manuel already said earlier this month that Reyes is done for the season.
If Reyes, 26, does have surgery, the procedure was described by one person familiar with the situation as “minor” and mostly involves a “clean up” of the frayed tendon sheath and scar tissue. The tendon itself is one that is not usually missed – it often is harvested from the leg for Tommy John surgery.
Reyes has been on the disabled list since May 26 with leg problems that were first diagnosed as tendinitis behind the right knee. In actuality, Reyes had been playing with a tear in the right hamstring tendon that gradually became worse, and he continued to try to rehab the injury with the help of cortisone shots. Reyes finally ripped the tendon on June 3, only days away from his scheduled return, and has been on the DL ever since.
Five Mets already have had surgery during this season: Carlos Delgado, Alex Cora, Jonathon Niese, J.J. Putz and Fernando Martinez. Johan Santana (bone chips) and Oliver Perez (knee) were shut down this week because of pending surgery and Jeff Francoeur, who remains active, plans to have an operation after the season to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.
