BOSTON-- John Valentin returned to his New Jersey home after knee surgery that probably ended his season. The Boston Red Sox sent a message that they didn't approve of his choice of doctors.
"I sort of resent the fact that they say John did anything improper," said Dick Moss, agent for the third baseman. "It's not like John went to some fly-by-night guy. This is one of the leading guys in the country."Valentin chose Dr. David Altchek, the team doctor for the New York Mets, to perform the surgery Thursday in New York City, two days after Valentin ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee going for a groundball against the Kansas City Royals.
That's the same doctor, Moss said, the Red Sox authorized when Valentin had surgery on the same knee last November.
The team issued a statement saying, "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."
When asked if the team was upset with the choice of Altchek, or had any information on the surgery, Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea pointed silently to the statement.
Dr. Arthur Pappas, Boston's team physician, said Wednesday that he expected Altchek to perform the operation.
"I'm at a loss to understand" the team's statement, Moss said from California. "Nobody from the Red Sox, (general manager) Dan Duquette or anybody, has called me to indicate there is any problem. I have no idea what they have in mind."
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.
Moss said Altchek is one of the top three orthopedic surgeons in the country, and is on a list of doctors agreed to by the owners and the players association to be consulted for second opinions.
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 RBIs in 35 at-bats over 10 games. He is signed through 2001 with a club option for 2002.