According to the Mets on Twitter, left-hander Jason Vargas was examined by doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Sunday.
The doctors recommended surgery on his right hand to remove the fractured hamate bone which he sustained in a minor league game several days ago.
The surgery will occur Tuesday, after which he will return to his throwing progression approximately five days post-surgery. It won’t be known how much time Vargas will miss until he is reexamined at that time.
Vargas is expected to begin the season on the disabled list, allowing Zack Wheeler to claim the final spot in the Mets rotation.
Wheeler has been solid for the Mets this spring and has sported a 97-mph fastball and a biting curve.
Vargas signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Mets this offseason with the hope that he would prove to be an innings eater. However, this injury could certainly alter the Mets plans for the rotation.
So far this spring he has pitched to a 4.15 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in 8.2 Grapefruit League innings. The left-hander has allowed 11 hits, walked four and struck out nine in that span.
Original report – March 18, 10:47 p.m.
The New York Mets revealed this morning that Jason Vargas‘ right-hand injury may be more serious than the results of his X-ray showed.
The lefty had a CT Scan that revealed a non-displaced fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand and he will see a hand specialist today.
This injury could certainly keep the 35-year old off the Opening Day roster even if surgery ends up being avoidable.
Sandy Alderson said this regarding Vargas’ situation and the current uncertainty surrounding it:
“He’ll pitch through it or he’ll have it surgically repaired. The question is if he pitches through it how long, what effect that will have on his preparation for the season. Obviously, secondarily, if he has the surgery, what effect that will have.”
Vargas signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Mets this offseason with the hope that he would prove to be an innings eater. However, this injury could certainly alter the Mets plans for the rotation.
So far this spring he has pitched to a 4.15 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in 8.2 Grapefruit League innings. The left-hander has allowed 11 hits, walked four and struck out nine in that span.
