Mets ace Johan Santana underwent 'successful' surgery

NorthJersey.com—New York City—September 14, 2010

Johan Santana underwent "successful" surgery this morning to repair a tear in the anterior capsule of his left shoulder.

Dr. David Altchek performed the procedure at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The Mets provided no timetable for his return, although Santana, 31, said last week he expects to begin throwing in January.

Santana was pulled after five innings during his Sept. 2 start in Atlanta as a precaution after feeling tightness near his pectoral muscle. The Mets initially thought the injury was a pectoral strain, but an MRI Thursday revealed the tear, near where his pectoral and shoulder meet.