The Mets will have to wait to see Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran play in the same outfield together this season.
Beltran had knee surgery on Wednesday,and the three-time Gold Glove winner could be sidelined up to 12 weeks.
The surgery already has sparked some controversy. ESPN.com reports that the five-time All-Star, who missed nearly three months last season due to a bone bruise in his right knee, had the surgery done against the team’s wishes. But Scott Boras, Beltran’s agent, says Dr. Steadman was given authorization from the team to perform the operation.
"Dr. Steadman has represented to us that he spoke with the Mets' physician, and he received consent to go forward with the plan and the surgery," Boras told The Associated Press. "Dr. Steadman has told us that his office contacted the Mets’ trainer and obtained the appropriate insurance forms and received approval for payment to go ahead with the surgery."
The Mets still aren’t happy that Beltran is going to open the 2010 season on the DL and reportedly have contacted commissioner Bud Selig’s office about filing a possible grievance.
Angel Pagan will fill in for Beltran, but for a Mets team that finished fourth in the NL East last season with a 72-90 record, this news tempers the excitement that followed the Bay signing.
