THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605220474
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 32 lines
Norfolk Tides outfielder Jay Payton underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to remove bone spurs in his right elbow, the same elbow that was surgically reconstructed last September.
Payton, who has been on the disabled list since May 1, flew to New York where New York Mets team physician Dr. David Altchek performed the surgery. Payton is expected to miss at least six to eight weeks.
``I know my body pretty well and I knew this wasn't scar tissue from last fall's surgery,'' said Payton, who had experienced pain off and on since spring training. ``(Dr. Altchek) looked at the tendon and said it was great.''
Payton, a first-round draft pick by the Mets in 1994, had undergone complete reconstructive tendon surgery, commonly referred to in baseball circles as Tommy John surgery, in the offseason following a 1995 season in which he was named Eastern League MVP while hitting .345 for Double-A Binghamton.
``Even now there are no guarantees that I'll throw pain free when I start rehabbing,'' Payton said while watching batting practice at Harbor Park Tuesday. ``But he removed a couple of bone spurs and a piece of bodily tissue that was rubbing on the tendon and ligament and that was probably causing the pain.''
NOTES: The Tides' Juan Acevedo was named International League pitcher of the week after picking up two victories last week and allowing just three earned runs in 14 innings. ... The first 5,000 fans 21 and older on hand for Thursday night's game will receive Miller Lite caps. ... A fireworks display will follow Saturday night's game between the Tides and the Richmond Braves. by CNB