NEW YORK -- Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey has had abdominal surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training.
The team says Dr. William Meyers performed the operation Thursday morning in Philadelphia to repair a core muscle injury.
A leading contender for the NL Cy Young Award, Dickey was 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA this season. The 37-year-old knuckleballer led the National League in strikeouts (230), innings (233 2-3), shutouts (three) and complete games (five).
After his final outing of the season, Dickey revealed that he had pitched with a strained muscle on his right side since mid-April.
New York holds a $5.25 million option on Dickey's contract for 2013 with a $300,000 buyout. General manager Sandy Alderson has said the Mets would like to sign the right-hander to a multiyear deal.
