Wow. I just received a call from the Mets, who said Johan Santana had successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The procedure was arthroscopic, and was performed today by medical director Dr. David Altchek and team physician Dr. Struan Coleman at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
(UPDATE, 2:12 p.m.: I just talked to Chrs Leible, one of Santana’s agents, and he said the knee had bothered Santana for about a month but he didn’t want to know what it was. Santana didn’t know the extent of the injury until he was examined yesterday.)
The release said Santana suffered the torn meniscus before his last start — Saturday’s three-hitter on three-days rest that saved the Mets’ season for another day. I’ve posted the complete release below. Let the legend grow…
JOHAN SANTANA UNDERWENT SUCCESSFUL SURGERY
FLUSHING, N.Y., October 1, 2008 – Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altchek and Team Physician Dr. Struan Coleman from the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan today successfully performed arthroscopic surgery on Mets pitcher Johan Santana’s left knee to treat a torn meniscus.
Santana had torn his meniscus prior to his final start of the season, but was able to work through the injury.
He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for Spring Training.