Santana to have shoulder surgery Tuesday

Johan Santana will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, the Mets announced last night.

Santana was examined recently by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who agreed with the diagnosis of team physician David Altchek: Santana has a tear of the anterior capsule in his pitching shoulder.

The timetable for Santana's return could become more clear after the surgery. In announcing the injury on Friday, the Mets said in a statement that they "anticipate he will be able to resume throwing in the spring."

But Santana said then, "I don't really know . . . Time will tell how I recover."

K-Rod hearing

While the Mets' ace is having an operation, their closer will be the subject of a hearing Tuesday in Queens Criminal Court.

The procedural hearing will be in regards to the criminal case against Francisco Rodriguez, who was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree harassment in the alleged Aug. 11 attack on his fiance's father at Citi Field.

The Mets are not expected to have any representatives at the hearing. Rodriguez is on the disqualified list as he recovers from thumb surgery.

Tejada gets turn

Manager Jerry Manuel said he plans on starting Ruben Tejada Tuesday and Wednesday against lefthanded pitchers Zach Duke and Paul Maholm in the hopes that the second baseman can get his batting average over the Mendoza line.

"What I like to do is to give - these next two lefties, try to keep him going in a direction to get him over .200," Manuel said. "I think that will be important for him to feel some success . . . I think facing the two lefties hopefully he can get it going. I still think he's going to be not a great hitter at this level, but a decent enough guy to be a complementary piece if all the other pieces do what they're supposed to do."

Tejada went into last night batting .188 with one home run and 13 RBIs. Luis Hernandez started at second against righthander James McDonald.