Mets' Chris Young Still Faces a Long Road Back With Shoulder Rehab

NJ.com—August 15, 2011

Chris Young is several months removed from surgery and hopes to resume throwing by October. A free agent at year’s end, he would like to return to the Mets, where he is familiar with both general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant general manager Paul DePodesta.

He is recovering from season-ending surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder.

This is the same surgery that Johan Santana underwent last September. Santana resumed his own rehab today, flying back to the team’s complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., after spending a week resting his fatigued left shoulder.

But Young will not speculate about whether he can be ready for spring training in 2012. When consistent shoulder trouble limits you to only 120 major-league innings in three seasons, you refuse to look too far ahead.

“The severity of this injury was greater than any injury I’ve had in the past as far as the cartilage coming off the bone,” Young said.

Three times a week, Young undergoes physical therapy. He spends the rest of his time working on conditioning.

Every six weeks, he flies back to New York to meet with Mets team doctor David Altchek, who performed the operation at Hospital for Special Surgery in mid-May.

Young is committed to pitching again in the major leagues, however unlikely that may be. He wouldn’t have undergone the procedure, otherwise.

"It’s a long rehab,” Young said.

This story originally appeared on NJ.com.