MLB

Another Amazin’ miscommunication on injury front

Well, the good vibrations associated with the signing of Jason Bay lasted about a week for the Mets.

Because it might be a new year, but an old problem has revisited the Mets; the problem that both paralyzed and humiliated them in 2009.

They have a player who is more injured than they initially reported, and how he was being cared for by the team is in question. And not by media or the fans. But by Carlos Beltran.

And so now the Mets are looking at beginning their 2010 campaign without their center fielder and third-place hitter. Just as important, they are at a contentious moment with Beltran with the possibility of doing irreparable harm to the relationship.

For the Mets clearly did not give Beltran their blessing to have surgery on his right knee yesterday. They are furious that Beltran nevertheless underwent the procedure in Colorado. How furious?

A person familiar with the situation told me that the Commissioner’s Office and the players’ association had been alerted that “the Mets are claiming this was done without clearance and that the Mets are threatening to take some form of action. There is a potential issue out there.”

A second source briefed on the subject told me, “This was clearly without permission, so right now there is smoke. Let’s see how much fire comes with it.”

Now the likelihood is that the Mets and Beltran will work this out without a formal grievance being filed. After all, it is not like the Mets want to void his contract — unless they know a heck of a lot more about that knee than they are letting on; and if so, they would be negligent for not sending Beltran to have surgery.

A friend of Beltran says the Mets were kept abreast the whole time what was going on with the center fielder. And Beltran’s doctor was not some quack in a back alley in Vienna.

Dr. Richard Steadman is one of the foremost knee specialists in the world, and scores of athletes have flown to Vail for his expertise.

Nevertheless, look where the Mets are so early in 2010? This is déjà fools. They again appear inept. Beltran initially wasplaced on the disabled list with this knee problem on June 22. Not long after that Beltran was concerned enough about the lingering pain that he went to see Steadman for a second opinion.

In a statement issued last night, the Mets said Beltran began the offseason without pain. But under the care of Mets doctors from October through December the pain recurred. All indications are that the Mets nevertheless wanted Beltran to continue on a rehabilitation course. But just as clearly Beltran felt he needed to go elsewhere for a remedy — away from the Mets.

Though no Mets official would speak for the record last night, their statement made it clear that it was Beltran who “elected” this option and that Beltran saw his own doctors.

And so where are the Mets now? Not in a good place. They are without their center fielder for at least 12 weeks, which means Angel Pagan could be starting on Opening Day. But at least as critical is that another season beckons with the Mets appearing trapped in their befuddling, frustrating, amateurish past.

They are warring with a mild-manned and sensitive player who is vital to their season, and they are giving off the aroma of a team that still has not cured its medical problems. So 2010 begins horribly looking like 2009.

You think Jason Bay is having any second thoughts?

joel.sherman@nypost.com