Tim Byrdak diagnosed with left shoulder tear

Tim Byrdak may have thrown his last pitch in Flushing after the Mets announced Monday he was diagnosed with an anterior capsule tear in his left shoulder, the same injury that resulted in surgery for Johan Santana and Chris Young.

The Mets indicated that "surgery is a possibility" for Byrdak, but a course of treatment has yet to be determined. Byrdak leads the majors with 56 appearances and there was some concern his frequent use would be an issue late in the season.

Byrdak complained of shoulder soreness during the West Coast trip and was placed on the disabled list Friday to make room for Frank Francisco. Monday's MRI revealed the tear.

Byrdak, 38, was 2-2 with a 4.40 ERA and spent most of the season as the Mets' lone lefthander before the promotion of Josh Edgin on July 13.

In other injury news, catcher Rob Johnson was diagnosed with a bruised right hand, which he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Padres. Kirk Nieuwenhuis was diagnosed with a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot, but the Mets said he will not have surgery at this time. Nieuwenhuis, who had been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, will report to Port St. Lucie for rehab.

Buffalo debut for Wheeler

After rain washed away his first try on Sunday, Zack Wheeler finally made his Triple-A Buffalo debut Monday and struck out seven in 42/3 innings against visiting Syracuse. Wheeler, 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA in 19 starts for Double-A Binghamton, allowed three hits, two runs, four walks and he also hit a batter.

Wheeler's fastball was in the mid-90s, but he left early as his pitch count was at 101 before he was pulled in the fifth.

Olson en route

Needing a lefthanded reliever, the Mets will add Garrett Olson before Tuesday's series opener with the Marlins at Citi Field. Olson, 27, was 4-7 with a 4.56 ERA in 21 starts and four relief appearances for Buffalo.