More bad news for the Mets.
Pitcher Johan Santana is headed to the disabled list and is not expected to make it back to the big leagues before the end of the season.
The lefty is going on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his lower back, according to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. The team said a MRI taken Tuesday on the pitcher’s back revealed the injury. Despite going on the disabled list for 15 days retroactive to Aug. 18, the Mets are expected to shut him down for the remainder of the season, according to multiple reports.
The good news: The 33-year-old pitcher’s injury won’t require surgery. Instead, doctors prescribed rest and medication, the team said in a brief news release.
It was a roller coaster type of season for Santana, who was out all of last season with a shoulder injury, but was able to return this season and was effective early on in the year. Santana also made history this year when he pitched the first no-hitter in Mets history.
“I’m very confident he’ll be back next season ready to go, hopefully in a stronger position coming into this season,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said, according to ESPN New York. “If you look back at this season and what we reasonably could’ve expected at the beginning of the year, he’s accomplished quite a lot.”
Santana gave the Mets 21 starts and proved he could still strike people out.
He has one year and $25 million left on his contract. There is a team option for 2014, which includes a $5.5 million buyout.
