By ZACH DOLEIDEN
VIERA, Fla. — The Mets were dealt
a fairly serious blow when they learned that two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan
Santana tore his left shoulder capsule for the second time in three years.
While nothing is set in stone at
this point in time, a second surgery on Santana’s throwing shoulder is “a
strong possibility” according to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. Another
shoulder surgery would almost certainly bring an end to Santana’s tenure in New
York and could threaten to bring his career to an abrupt end as well.
The 34-year old left-hander
missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing surgery to repair his torn left
shoulder capsule for the first time in 2010.
After a long and arduous journey
back to the majors, Santana appeared to be back to his old form, going 3-2 with
a 2.38 ERA from Opening Day of the 2012 season through his 134-pitch no-hitter
against the Cardinals on June 1. After that, he struggled mightily, posting a
3-7 record and an 8.27 ERA over his final 10 starts.
Santana has been one of the most
gifted pitchers of his time, going 111-51 with a 2.88 ERA from 2003-2009 with
the Twins and Mets before his body began to show signs of wear.
Once regarded as one of former
general manager Omar Minaya’s best acquisitions, Santana never really lived up
to his mountainous expectations, undergoing knee surgery in 2008 and elbow
surgery in 2009 prior to his shoulder operation in 2010.
With Santana out, the Mets will
look to right-hander Jeremy Hefner to fill his spot in the rotation…that is,
until prospect Zack Wheeler, one of the most talented pitchers in the Minor
Leagues, gets the call.
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