15 January 2010 / AP, NEW YORK
New York Mets’ All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran will miss the start of the upcoming Major League Baseball season due to knee surgery.
Beltran had an operation on his troublesome right knee on Wednesday, sparking a dispute about whether he had received permission from the team, and whether the surgery was needed. It’s more bad news for the Mets, ravaged by serious injuries to several stars last year while sliding to 70-92 and fourth place in the National League East. Now, New York will be without one of its best players for at least the first few weeks. A person with knowledge of the situation said Beltran did not obtain advance written consent from the club to have the surgery, which was performed by his personal physician, Dr. Richard Steadman, in Colorado.