Mets’ Keith Hernandez Facing Surgery

It seems like the Mets’ injury problems are extending beyond the field, touching even the SNY broadcast booth.

During the Mets’ recent 4-0 defeat against the Athletics, Keith Hernandez announced he will have back surgery scheduled for Tuesday.

“It won’t happen soon,” he stated on the WPIX broadcast, adding, “I’ll be the first to go under the knife, and hopefully I’ll feel better afterward.”

At 72, Hernandez expressed his intention to return for the Mets’ home series against the Rockies starting April 24. “I plan to be back here for the Rockies series this weekend,” he said.

He shared a light-hearted moment with fellow commentators Gary Cohen and Ron Darling, who jokingly expressed skepticism about his recovery.

“I know you don’t think I’m going to make it,” Hernandez remarked as laughter erupted in the background.

Cohen quickly chimed in, “I hope so, I’m rooting for you, Keith.” Soon after, the broadcast displayed a humorous graphic titled “Get Well Soon Keith,” depicting a man in a full body cast lying on an island.

This isn’t Hernandez’s first time undergoing back surgery; he previously had a ruptured disc treated in 2019.

Before this season, Hernandez had signed a three-year deal with SNY, which reduced his game appearances from 110 to 95. He’s already missed a number of games this year due to back issues, including the recent West Coast series against the Giants, where the Mets managed to win three out of four games.

In fact, during a game against the Diamondbacks, he revealed that he attempted to watch the Giants series at home but had to switch it off because of their poor performance. “Gah, I tried to watch the Giants series, but they were playing so badly that I had to turn it off,” he said.

Cohen humorously asked, “Wasn’t Todd [Zeile] and I convincing enough to keep your attention?”

Hernandez clarified his struggle: “It had nothing to do with you guys. It was just…defense. I was just surprised.” Later, he mimicked turning off the TV when the score reached 6-0.

Meanwhile, in Friday’s game against the Mets, starting pitcher Clay Holmes exited midway through the sixth inning due to a hamstring strain.