Doctor: Be surprised if Delgado returns in '09

Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, who will undergo surgery today to repair a torn labrum and a bone spur in his hip, may be out for the remainder of the season.

In a phone interview with the New York Times, Dr. Michael Bronson, chief of hip and knee surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, explained Carlos Delgado’s situation:

“When you shave bone off the hip joint, you need to allow the bone time to heal and solidify and get stronger before it’s subject to activity.” He added, “I’d be very surprised if he came back this season.”

Either way, the doctor explained that Delgado’s hip should be pain-free and 100% for next season. Delgado, 36, is in the final year of his contract with the Mets but has said he plans on returning to play next season.

The Mets said they will wait to see how the surgery goes to give a timetable for Delgado’s return.

UPDATE 1:58 P.M. – Carlos Delgado underwent successful hip surgery and the Mets say he should be ready to return in 10 weeks. That would be around the All-Star Break.