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Thursday, June 1 | |||||
Red Sox at odds with Valentin's physician | |||||
BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox third baseman John Valentin
underwent surgery on his left knee Thursday by a doctor who the
club said it did not authorize.
Valentin's agent, Dick Moss, said Valentin returned to his New
Jersey home after the surgery in New York by Dr. David Altchek, the
team physician for the Mets. Valentin, who had surgery performed by
Altchek on the same knee last November, is expected to miss the
rest of the season.
The Red Sox said they had no information on Thursday's operation
to correct a ruptured patellar tendon.
"Despite the club's efforts to coordinate the medical care,
John Valentin went to a physician that was not authorized by the
club to perform the procedure," Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said.
Moss said "I'm at a loss to understand" the team's statement.
"Nobody from the Red Sox, (general manager) Dan Duquette or
anybody, has called me to indicate there is any problem," he said.
Shea refused to say whether the team was upset with Valentin's
choice of doctors.
Dr. Arthur Pappas, the Red Sox team physician, had said
Wednesday that he expected Altchek to perform the operation.
Moss said Altchek was authorized by the Red Sox to perform the
surgery last November, when scar tissue around Valentin's patellar
tendon was cleaned out. Altchek also repaired a small cartilage
tear. He also has performed surgery on Boston pitcher Bret
Saberhagen's right shoulder.
Valentin, who went on the disabled list April 10 with patellar
tendinitis in his left knee, had started just eight games since he
returned to the roster May 19.
The latest injury occurred in the second inning Tuesday night
against Kansas City when he collapsed while charging a grounder by
Carlos Beltran.
Moss said Altchek is one of the top three orthopedic surgeons in
the country and is on a list agreed to by the owners and the
players association of doctors to be consulted for second opinions.
"I sort of resent the fact that they say John did anything
improper," Moss said. "It's not like John went to some
fly-by-night guy. This is one of the leading guys in the country.
"I have no idea what they have in mind."
Valentin, 33, is in his ninth major-league season, all with the
Red Sox. He has the longest tenure on the team and entered the
season batting .283. This season, he batted .257 with two homers
and two RBI in 35 at bats over 10 games.
He is signed through the 2001 season with a club option for
2002. | ALSO SEE Torn tendon ends season for Boston's Valentin 'Office manager' Williams may have broken MLB rule |