Mets fans, you can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Monday night, we passed along the information that Carlos Beltran was visiting a specialist -- and outlined the worst-possible-scenario: Beltran missing the rest of the season. Instead, he's been diagnosed with just a bone bruise, as the team originally believed. Beltran's choice of doctor raised eyebrows, considering he visited a well-known micro-fracture surgeon, Dr. Richard Steadman. Still, Steadman examined Beltran and determined he just needs to stay off his feet. He did push back the timetable for Beltran's return to after the All-Star break.
Considering the alternative, though, the Mets have to take this as great news. The All-Star break isn't that far off, actually. The Mets have 12 games until then, during which time they'll hope to remain within striking distance of the Phillies for first place in the NL East. The Mets currently sit three games behind the division-leading Phils, and a 1/2 game behind the Florida Marlins.
New York has been ravaged by injuries, but Jose Reyes and John Maine will likely return with Beltran after the break. Carlos Delgado is looking at late July for a possible return. If the Mets are still within a few games by the time those four players get back, they'll have a real shot to win the NL East. For now, they just have to suck it up and survive with the patchwork lineup.
