Surgery for Reyes after setback?

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WASHINGTON -- The saga of Jose Reyes’ right hamstring tendon appears poised to take a long-overdue turn toward surgery.

The Mets confirmed today that Reyes had suffered a setback while running at a workout facility in New York on Tuesday, and that team doctors are meeting with the shortstop this afternoon to discuss surgery.

Jerry Manuel revealed before today’s road finale here against the Nationals that Reyes was running at only 75 percent of his full capacity at the time of the setback, even though Reyes hasn’t played since May 20.

“Maybe this time tomorrow we should have some answer as to which direction,” Manuel said, referring to the decision on surgery. “I think we’ll have a different prognosis. They’re trying to make a determination, because there’s only so much time after surgery that you’ll have [before spring training].”

What makes the situation seemingly outrageous is that Reyes most likely would have been back on the field earlier this month if he had opted for surgery in June, when he tore the hamstring tendon.

Instead, the delay in what looks like inevitable surgery could force Reyes to miss the chance to play winter ball and impact his availability for spring training because tendon repair typically requires a recovery of up to three months.

“There was some discomfort [when Reyes ran],” Manuel said. “That was the term that was used.”

While the Reyes situation has dragged on far too long, what remains unclear is where to put the blame for the delay.

The Mets have not said whether they have recommended surgery since the tendon was completely torn during an early-June workout in Port St. Lucie or whether they went along with Reyes’ stated desire not to have an operation.

Reyes said during a visit to Citi Field earlier this month that he wanted to see if the injury responded to rest instead. He also repeatedly said that he considered surgery a last resort.