Johan Santana Injury: Updates on Mets Pitcher's Shoulder

New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana has been diagnosed with an injury to his pitching shoulder, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.

UPDATE: Wednesday, April 2, at 1:05 p.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

While the news that Johan Santana would require what is likely season-ending surgery on his shoulder was a blow to the Mets and the team's fans, both sides can take solace in the fact that the procedure was successful. 

From Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News:

---End of update---

UPDATE: Saturday, March 30, at 2:57 p.m. ET by Brandon Galvin

Johan Santana will undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Rubin.

---End of update---

The reported injury could cause the two-time Cy Young Award winner to miss the entire 2013 campaign.

Manager Terry Collins said on Wednesday that the 34-year-old could be out six to eight weeks (per Jorge Castillo of the Newark Star-Ledger), but it appears the injury may be more serious.

Santana posted a 3.24 ERA before the All-Star break last season but gave up 26 earned runs in his 14.1 innings after the Midsummer Classic (four starts).

The four-time All-Star finished with a 4.85 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 117 innings (21 starts). He also threw the franchise's first no-hitter ever vs. the Cardinals back on June 1.

Santana is in the final year of a six-year, $137.5 million deal with the Mets. He's scheduled to make $25.5 million this season. The Mets hold a $25 million club option on Santana for next season with a $5.5 million buyout.

Santana returned to the club in 2012 after missing the entire 2011 campaign.  

Left-hander Jonathon Niese is the Mets' top starter now, trailed by a projected rotation of Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, Jeremy Hefner and Shaun Marcum, according to MLB Depth Charts (via BaseballProspectus.com.)

Niese went 13-9 with a 3.40 ERA and 1.17 WHIP last season. Harvey, a 24-year-old right-hander, registered a 2.73 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 10 starts.

The Mets ranked 11th in baseball in starters' ERA in 2012, but that was back when they had National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey (now with the Toronto Blue Jays).

This is a big blow to the Mets, who were hoping Santana could at least pitch down the stretch for them. It's also an unfortunate situation for Santana, who is in the last year of his contract.

Once the most feared starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, Johan Santana may ultimately have to hang up his cleats and call it a career.