NEW YORK — Mets ace Johan Santana had surgery on torn cartilage in his left knee Wednesday and is expected to be ready for spring training.
News of the injury came as a surprise. Santana pitched a three-hit shutout on short rest Saturday against Florida to pull the Mets into a tie for the NL wild card. They were eliminated from playoff contention the following day.
“Johan’s exit physical, standard for all players, took place (Tuesday),” general manager Omar Minaya said Wednesday. “An MRI revealed a torn meniscus in his left knee, which necessitated surgery.”
• Mets reliever Ambiorix Burgos was driving an SUV on Tuesday when it slammed into two women who later died of their injuries, Domincan Republic police said. Police were still were searching for Burgos on Wednesday.
Beckett on track for Game 3
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett, who injured a muscle in his side last Friday during a bullpen session, played long toss and remains on track to start Game 3 on Sunday in Boston.
Attendance drops slightly
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s attendance dropped by 1.1 percent this year, ending a streak of four straight record seasons.
Baseball finished with 78.6 million total fans and an average of 32,539, the commissioner’s office said. That was down from 79.5 million and a 32,785 average in 2007.
Commissioner Bud Selig had said that breaking 80 million for the first time was in reach, and attendance was at or slightly ahead of last year’s pace for the first half of the season before sliding.
Footnotes.
The Braves said an MRI on third baseman Chipper Jones’ right shoulder showed acute tendinitis, but the overall structure is normal.
• Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter, who was shut down for the season in early September, will not have surgery for a nerve problem in his shoulder, hoping he’ll be ready for spring training after therapy and rest.
• The Astros declined a $3.25 million club option on Doug Brocail, though general manager Ed Wade said the team would try to re-sign the 41-year-old reliever for next season.
The Associated Press
