VIERA, Fla. — Johan Santana’s Mets career likely is finished, after an MRI exam revealed the pitcher has a probable re-tear of the anterior capsule in his left shoulder, general manager Sandy Alderson said last night.
The lefty will decide over the weekend on his next step, but Alderson said a second surgery is a strong possibility.
“If this diagnosis proves to be correct, I think in all likelihood Johan will be lost to the Mets for the season,” Alderson said.
Santana, who is in the final year of a $137.5 million contract, had experienced weakness in the shoulder during spring training, leading the Mets to say last week he would not begin the season with the team. The lefty flew to New York on Wednesday for an examination by Dr. David Altchek, who diagnosed the probable re-tear. That diagnosis was confirmed yesterday by Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Lewis Yocum, after a review of Santana’s MRI.
Alderson said it’s unknown when the probable re-tear occurred. Santana, 34, was shut down in August last season, officially because of stiffness in his lower back, and spent the winter resting. He did not appear in an exhibition game this spring.
“What we do know is at some point symptoms appeared and they worsened instead of improved,” Alderson said. “At this point we simply don’t know when this occurred.”
Because his contract is not insured, the Mets are on the hook for the entire $31 million Santana is owed this season. That figure includes a $5.5 million buyout of Santana’s option for 2014.
The team will proceed with a rotation that includes Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, Shaun Marcum and Jeremy Hefner, but Alderson said top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler’s status won’t be affected by Santana. Wheeler is slated to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas and likely won’t be a consideration for the Mets until early summer.
“We will bring [Wheeler] up when he is ready, and no immediate need will impact that,” Alderson said. “We feel we have … not just depth in the system, but also some exceptional talent coming through the system, and we just have to see how our needs and the maturation of that talent connect.
“I would say right now we would probably not be in the market for additional pitching. I think what we have will suffice us and we’re going to approach it on that basis.”
Santana’s initial tear of the anterior capsule occurred in September 2010, pitching against the Braves at Turner Field. He underwent surgery later that month and missed the entire 2011 season rehabbing the shoulder.
Santana returned to the Mets last season and started strong, including throwing the first no-hitter in franchise history, on June 1 against the Cardinals. But the historical moment may have taken a toll. Santana remained in the game to throw 134 pitches, and struggled in his next two starts.
In his final start before the All-Star break, Santana sprained his ankle when the Cubs’ Reed Johnson stepped on it while the pitcher was covering first base. Santana eventually was placed on the disabled list, and was a mess upon his return, compiling a 16.33 ERA over his final four starts before he was shut down.
Earlier this month, Alderson expressed disappointment that Santana didn’t arrive at spring training ready to pitch. That led to an angry Santana throwing from the front of a bullpen mound the next day, ahead of schedule. The pitcher and general manager eventually met and settled their rift.
“Johan has had an exceptional career and we all hope that career will continue,” Alderson said. “I think there’s still questions that have to be answered in respect to the injury and how it’s going to be addressed.”
END OF THE ROAD:
Johan Santana may have pitched his last game for the Mets after the announcement he likely will need surgery after re-injuring his left shoulder. Here’s a look back at Santana’s time with the franchise:
2008: Before the season, Santana signed the biggest contract for a pitcher in baseball history (left). That season his 2.53 ERA led the league. He finished third in the Cy Young voting behind Tim Lincecum and Brandon Webb.
2009: Santana was named to All-Star team but made only 25 starts. On Aug. 25, he was placed on the disabled list and missed the remainder of the season in order to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow.
2010: Santana made 29 starts, but Sept. 2 was his final one before undergoing surgery Sept. 14 to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. The injury would force him to miss the entire 2011 season.
2012: Santana pitched the franchise’s first no-hitter June 1 at Citi Field (left) against the Cardinals, throwing 134 pitches in the process. He made 10 starts following the no-hitter and went 3-7 with an 8.27 ERA. After making two starts in August, he was placed on the DL with inflammation in his lower back and did not pitch again.