Sports

ROBIN GETS ‘SCOPED

Met third baseman Robin Ventura underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder yesterday, but is expected to be completely recovered by spring training.

Ventura, who also had torn cartilage removed from his left knee in October, had scar tissue removed from a bruised right rotator cuff yesterday to allow the joint to heal properly. He originally hurt the shoulder sliding back into second base during a pickoff attempt in Game 4 of the Division Series against the Diamondbacks at Shea.

The pain eventually subsided enough so that he could play, but it was clear his throws were not as crisp as they had been throughout the year.

Met GM Steve Phillips said the pain hadn’t subsided by mid-November, and so it was decided he would have an MRI. That test revealed post-traumatic impingement syndrome.

Phillips said Ventura would regain full strength in the arm and this would not portend any position change to first base in the next three years.

“I fully expect him to be the third baseman for the length of his contract,” Phillips said.