Four Mets Undergo Surgery.

[Blue Jeans]

NEW YORK -- They turned into the Met-icals on Monday. Four days after their elimination from the postseason, the Mets began offseason repairs.

Four players underwent surgery, including Paul Lo Duca who finally had torn ligaments in his left thumb repaired. The Mets catcher had declined to identify the injury that plagued him most of the season. Lo Duca's injury inadvertently helped his hitting by forcing him to reduce his swing.

 

Carlos Delgado, who is set to undergo surgery on his right elbow next week, had his right wrist repaired Monday. Aaron Heilman (right elbow) and Chris Woodward (left shoulder) also underwent surgery on Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Dr. David Altchek, the Mets medical director, operated on Heilman and Woodward; Dr. Andrew Weiland, the club's hand specialist, performed the procedures on Delgado and Lo Duca.

 

Cliff Floyd will have surgery on his left Achilles tendon on Wednesday, as will reliever Roberto Hernandez on his right knee.

 

All six players are expected to be ready for Spring Training.

 

Catch the rising stars

Two Mets players, outfielder Fernando Martinez and right-handed pitcher Mike Pelfrey, will play in the Arizona Fall League's inaugural "Rising Stars Showcase" at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., on Friday. Pelfrey will start for the East Division.

 

Martinez and Pelfrey both play for the Soler Sox in the AFL.