After a disappointing season in which injuries laid claim to Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Johan Santana, the front office was thrown into disarray and David Wright failed to maintain the level of play expected of him, Mets fans suffered another devastating blow Monday with word that right fielder Jeff Francoeur is expected to be ready in time for spring training following an operation on his injured left thumb.

While unlikely, it was hoped that the operation would force Francoeur to miss at least some time next season, a development that would have allowed the Mets to give his at-bats to a major league-caliber hitter. Unfortunately for the team, however, the operation was successful and Francoeur and his career OPS+ of 92 are expected to start in right field as spring training opens in March 2010.