Cesar Tordesillas

Sarasota, FL

New York Mets starter Johan Santana's 2013 season ended even before it started as he is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder.

Mets team doctor David Altchek will again perform surgery on Santana for the second time in 31 months. When Altchek performed Santana's first surgery on Sept. 2, 2010, it took the pitcher 19 months to throw a major league pitch.

The Mets owe Santana $31 million this season, including a 2014 buyout.

"I've known Johan long enough to know that I don't think that he would want to go out like that," said Mets captain David Wright, who briefly spoke with Santana after the results of an MRI showed a tear.

"So he's going to probably work just as hard, or if it's possible work harder, to come back from this. I wouldn't be surprised if I see him pitch again," he added.

Altchek earlier said that the surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule had been performed previously on only a handful of pitchers, beginning with Bret Saberhagen on May 28, 1996.

The list also includes Chris Young, Mark Prior, Chien-Ming Wang, Rich Harden and Dallas Braden.

Altchek explained that Santana's recovery will contribute to determine the procedure's effectiveness in extending careers.

The capsule is the set of ligaments that run between the ball and socket, holding them in place. Tearing it could result in the ball slipping forward in the shoulder socket during the delivery.

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Johan Santana to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery