Mets say Santana's shoulder surgery successful
Mets pitcher Johan Santana will have season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday and may not be ready for the start of the 2011 season. Credit: AP
The Mets did little more than confirm Tuesday that Johan Santana had "successful" surgery to repair the tear of the anterior capsule of his left shoulder. Dr. David Altchek, the team's medical director, performed the operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and there was no mention of any other problems with the shoulder, as sometimes happens afterward.
The Mets also did not provide an updated timeline for Santana's return, which is likely to take a minimum of six months and force him to miss Opening Day in 2011. After the initial diagnosis, the team indicated that Santana would be able to throw again "in the spring" - a vague prediction that didn't specify a particular month.
One point of reference is the Yankees' Jorge Posada, who had the surgery in 2008 - also performed by Altchek - and needed six months to make it back. When asked about his rehab, Posada estimated it would take longer for Santana, given the greater demands on a pitcher's shoulder.
The operation was the third in three years for Santana, who had a torn meniscus in his right knee repaired at the end of the 2008 season and bone chips removed from his left elbow last September.
Rotation rundown
The Mets intend to stick with Dillon Gee and Jenrry Mejia in the rotation for the remainder of the season, despite the issues facing each of their young pitchers. Gee is up to 174 1/3 innings, a sizable leap from the 48 1/3 innings he threw during an injury-shortened season last year. Still, Jerry Manuel sees Gee continuing to pitch.
"As of right now, yes - that could change," Manuel said. "We have talked to some degree about that, but it's something that you have to weigh the experience that you get there or if you're jeopardizing his health, so that has to be a part of the conversation, as well."
2011 schedule
The Mets open next season on April 1 in Miami, with the Citi Field opener April 8 against the Nationals. For interleague play, the Mets host the Angels (June 17-19) and Athletics (June 21-23) and travel to Texas (June 24-26) and Detroit (June 28-30). They face the Yankees in the Bronx on May 20-22 and host their crosstown rivals July 1-3.
