octoberspazbaby:

The Mets offered minimal information, i.e., no specific diagnosis or theories, about the problem that manager Jerry Manuel said began to develop before the All-Star break. But Mike Pelfrey, Santana’s fellow starter, said, “I don’t think anyone expects good news.” And Jeff Francoeur said he anticipates Santana will require surgery after speaking with the pitcher in the clubhouse Monday.

Other players said Santana seems resigned to surgery.

At one point, Francoeur — he, too, is injured now — said Santana “can get it looked at now and be two months ahead by Spring Training,” an indication of a possible need for surgery in the immediate future rather than after the season. Later he acknowledged his conversation with the pitcher and the likelihood of surgery.

No Mets officials confirmed that. None was available after Manuel made the announcement. Mets trainers and doctors are prohibited from speaking with the media. The club offered no written release about Santana, as it had about Francoeur, who tore a ligament in his left thumb Sunday. Nor did the club link the current problem to what Santana experienced early in Spring Training.