After putting it off for months, the day has finally come for Jose Reyes and the scalpel to become acquainted. From the category of better late than never, Jose Reyes will be undergoing surgery on his injured right leg. According to the Associated Press and Bart Hubbuch’s blog in the New York Post, the surgery will be performed by Dr. Daniel Cooper at North Central Surgical in Dallas on Thursday. Dr. Cooper is the head physician for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and the NHL’s Dallas Stars and is considered the leading expert in the reparation of hamstring tendons.
The procedure will involve cleaning up scar tissue left behind from the torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee. This was the injury he originally suffered back in May after playing in only 36 games. In a failed attempt to recover without getting the operation performed, Reyes initially put off the surgery and ended up missing the remainder of the 2009 season.
The injury he suffered during running exercises while trying to return to the Mets for the last week of the season will not be operated on. That injury was a partially torn hamstring muscle. Had it been completely torn, surgery would have been a necessity.
Recovery time for this procedure is uncertain, but team officials believe he will be ready to play for the club when spring training begins in February.
A healthy Reyes is key to the success of the Mets on the offensive side of the ball. This team cannot hope to contend with the Phillies, Braves and Marlins in the National League East with the likes of Alex Cora and Wilson Valdez playing shortstop the majority of the year. Although the team has many needs this offseason, the return to health of Jose Reyes is surely near the top of the list.
Dallas has already been kind to one famous J.R. Hopefully, the Mets’ J.R. will also be able to go to Dallas and come back a brand new man. Good luck, Jose!
