News: Johan Santana goes to the Doctor
Johan Santana will have his sore left elbow examined by Dr. David Altchek today.
“He has been pitching with it probably since the break, but not with the level of discomfort he has now,” Manuel said, following yesterday’s game. “I know now that it concerns him.”
Marty Noble of MLB.com speaks with a few of Santana’s teammates, all of whom expect he will end up having season-ending surgery.
… i have asked around, but have no idea if there is cause for serious concern, or whether this is just a precaution… his elbow was sore, he had an MRI, and now he’s seeing the specialist… from what i understand, he did the same with his back earlier in the season… i can’t help but think he’d be on the mound tomorrow if the Mets were in a pennant race… so, this could all be a by-product of being so far out of contention… in other words, pain, ok, go to the doctor, let’s not fool around…
Manuel said it will be up to the doctors if Santana pitches again this season.
…that’s fine, but, surgery, no surgery, why let him back on a mound… the Mets have 15 games left this season in Citi Field… of those 15, santana might have pitched in three games, maybe… so, the Mets really can’t use attendance as a reason to rush johan back… just let him be… he’s had back issues, now the elbow, he had knee surgery last off season, just let him catch his breath… he’s thrown 166 innings… that’s more than enough…
For more on Santana, and how the Mets should handle the rest of his season, read Tim Smith’s column for the Daily News.
