The 2009 season was lost long ago for Oliver Perez. Now it's officially over.The Mets left-hander was diagnosed with patella tendon tendinosis in his right knee by the team doctor David Altchek, a condition that will require surgery and force him to miss the rest of the season.
It's worth mentioning again, as FanHouse's Tom Fornelli did on Tuesday, just how staggering the amount of talent that New York has lost to injury is.
The news that Perez will miss the remainder of this season comes a day after the Mets learned they would be without ace left-hander Johan Santana for the rest of this year.
Half of their everyday lineup -- four All-Stars in Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran -- are currently on the disabled list as well.
Perez's case may be a little bit different from the other walking wounded at Citi Field, though. Though New York awarded him a three-year, $36 million deal this winter, the enigmatic southpaw was never an asset for the Mets in 2009, going 3-4 with a 6.82 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 14 starts.
There have been a number of theories floated to explain his poor performance, including:
• Complacency after receiving his new deal.
• His participation in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico, and injuries or fatigue suffered as a result.
• The continued decline of a pitcher who has, throughout his career, always had trouble harnessing his stuff and throwing it for strikes.
It's possible that the injury has contributed to Perez's woeful performance in 2009, something that might provide the Mets with some hope that he can return healthy in 2010 and be effective for the final two years remaining on his deal.
That probably won't soothe much of the negativity surrounding the club, but the folks in Flushing have to be looking for any silver lining this deep into a disastrous season.
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