Moises Alou’s season, and perhaps career, could be finished after an MRI exam today revealed he tore his left hamstring while diving for a ball in the outfield for Double-A Binghamton yesterday.
The 42-year-old Alou needs surgery and faces a long rehabilitation. GM Omar Minaya said the left fielder faces “tough” odds in returning this year.
Alou, who has been on the disabled list three times this season, most recently for a strained left calf muscle, has only 49 at-bats for the Mets this season. He is hitting .347 with nine RBIs.
“I know he wanted to contribute this year and be a part of this team,” David Wright said. “From the news, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be possible, but we need guys to continue to step up and get the job done.”
The fact Fernando Tatis went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs yesterday in the Mets’ 7-3 victory over the Giants allowed Minaya to say he’s happy with the team’s possibilities in the outfield, even with Ryan Church on the disabled list with recurring headaches.
“Right now we’re going to give the guys we have an opportunity,” Minaya said. “But you have to continue to look at things and see if there’s somebody out there that we feel is an upgrade.”
Can Minaya unequivocally say that free-agent Barry Bonds isn’t an option?
“I’m not going to say that unequivocally,” Minaya said, echoing his sentiment from earlier in the week when asked about Bonds.
Jerry Manuel gave Nick Evans the start in left field yesterday, shifting Tatis to right. Tatis figures to remain in left field most of the time with Endy Chavez in right. The Mets also hope Angel Pagan will soon be part of the mix, as he works his way back to the major league roster after going on the DL in May with a left shoulder contusion.
“[Tatis] has a history of doing some good things,” Minaya said. “Chavez, he can still play better, and we have Pagan who is going to be available, so we should be OK.”