Carlos Delgado Likely Done For The Season

After suffering yet another setback with his hip injury, Carlos Delgado will most likely miss the remainder of the season.

Delgado told reporters that there is inflammation in his hip following some running last Saturday. The Mets first baseman had right hip surgery on May 19 and was originally expected to return in early August, but suffered a string of one setback after another.

“I’m a player. I like to play,” Delgado said. “You want to see your hard work pay off. It’s been a long and frustrating four months, so it would be refreshing to come back.”

Delgado had hoped to come back for the last two weeks of the season, but now faces the possibility that he has played his final game with the Mets. In 25 games this season, Delgado hit .298 with four home runs and 23 RBIs.

“Time is running out for him,” Manuel said. “It’s disappointing, because Delgado is a big part of the leadership core of this team, and to not see him back is hard to take when you thought we would get him back at some point in August.”

Manuel also speculated on Delgado returning in 2010.

“I don’t think the hip hindered him from hitting. And if you bring him, that’s what you’re bringing: a middle-of-the-lineup threat,” Manuel said. “But you’d always like to have questions answered before Spring Training.”

I just can’t see the Mets rolling the dice on Delgado again after already being burned by picking up his $14 million dollar option for this season. It’s sort of reminiscent of when they brought back Moises Alou under similar circumstances.

Even if Delgado returned on an incentive laden deal, another setback would once again deprive them of their only true power hitter and potentially send the team into a tailspin yet again next season. Would the Mets really take such a gamble after what they’ve endured already?

I’m thinking no, but at the same time I don’t see too many options for the Mets in free agency. One thing is certain though, and that is that Daniel Murphy is not the answer.

The Mets may have to make a trade to fix the power void in their lineup, and it’s still too early to see what players could be available although Jon Heyman wrote that Padres’ slugger Adrian Gonzalez could be an option for the Mets. If there’s any truth to his potential availability, It would cost the Mets a ton, but it just might be worth it.