Mets OF Alou to have hernia surgery

Mar 6, 2008 - 1:54 AM PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida (Ticker) -- New York Mets left fielder Moises Alou needs hernia surgery that will sideline him four to six weeks, according to a report on the team's web site.

Alou, 41, suffered the injury in the third inning of Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves. He saw a doctor in New York on Wednesday.

"After the game, he felt it more and more," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "He felt some more discomfort (Tuesday), and (Wednesday) he also felt discomfort."

It is the latest setback for the injury-prone outfielder, who missed 2 1/2 months of last season with a strained quad.

When healthy, there is no denying Alou's ability to hit. The 17-year veteran, who is a .303 career average, batted .341 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 87 games in 2007.

The problem for Alou has been staying on the field, as he hasn't played 100 games since 2005. With Alou out, Endy Chavez will likely be the Opening Day starter in left field.

"We came into the season with a track record of Alou, knowing that Alou was going to give us a certain amount of games," Minaya said. "We felt that the number of games he was going to give us would be very productive games, and I think that bore out last year."

Alou's injury is one of many plaguing the Mets.

Center fielder Carlos Beltran and second baseman Luis Castillo are recovering from knee surgeries, while first baseman Carlos Delgado has a hip injury and right fielder Ryan Church has a concussion.

"One thing you always say about spring training is you hope to get out of here healthy," Minaya said. "If we can get all these injuries out of the way now, it would be great."

The Mets open the season March 31 at the Florida Marlins.