Byrdak Undergoes Surgery

Mets LHP Tim Byrdak will have surgery tomorrow to repair a torn meniscus in his left (push-off) knee.  There is no timetable for his return.  Byrdak was re-signed to a one-year, $1 million contract after posting a 3.82 ERA in 72 appearances last season as a lefty specialist.

Byrdak was the clear front-runner to remain in the bullpen as a lefty specialist, reprising his role from 2011, this season, although he was ostensibly competing with fellow returnee LHP Daniel Ray Herrera (who was acquired for RHP Francisco Rodriguez as a player-to-be-named later in September), Mets Minor Leaguer LHP Robert Carson, and non-roster invitees LHP Chuck James and LHP Garrett Olson, and one of those four will likely fill that role on Opening Day, unless Byrdak makes a miraculously quick recovery.  In other Mets news, 3B David Wright is being examined in New York and may undergo an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection on his strained left rib cage.