Shortstop Alex Cora became the latest Met to go on the disabled list after deciding to have season-ending surgery on his right thumb.
Cora also has a torn ligament in each of his thumbs and will have surgery on this left thumb this Thursday, and surgery on his right thumb five weeks later.
Cora, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, hit .251 with one homer and 18 RBIs in 82 games in his first season with the Mets. He was pushed into everyday duty after Jose Reyes went on the DL, and has played hurt during most of that time, never once complaining of the pain.
The veteran middle infielder was a solid presence in the clubhouse and consummate professional at all times. If he proves to be healthy, I wouldn’t mind seeing him on our bench again next season, and hopefully Omar feels the same way and rewards him with a one-year deal for 2010.
Speaking of 2010, I’m starting to get concerned about the number of players we are going to have coming back next season off of injuries. For example, do we just count John Maine as part of the rotation even though he has missed the better part of two seasons?
And regarding Jose Reyes, do we back him up with a shortstop who can play everyday just in case the hamstring, leg, and calf problems are still an issue?
Hopefully Beltran can avoid surgery this off season, but rushing him back to play in a few meaningless games really makes me nervous.
