Mets Morning News: Johan Santana's season done, Daniel Murphy back, David Wright may play today

It isn't too difficult to figure out where to start today. At 6:45 yesterday evening, Sandy Alderson announced via a conference call that Johan Santana had re-torn his previously injured anterior capsule, and would likely be facing surgery to repair it. It took Johan 19 months to recover from the first repair, so in all likelihood we've seen him throw his last pitch for the Mets. Here's hoping this injury is not a career-ender for the lefty, but it's very possible that it is.

Faith and Fear looked back at two games that will forever define Santana as a Met, and they were truly two of the best games I can remember from recent times. Over at Mets Today, Joe Janish took issue with some of the comments Dan Warthen had about the injury.

The first guy that springs to mind to eat some of Santana's innings this season is certainly top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler. Wheeler also made the news yesterday, and not for the right sort of reasons.

Somewhat less important in the big picture than Santana's injury was the Mets game against the Nationals yesterday. The game was a lot of fun for Mets fans that wanted to get a look at Domingo Tapia, but unfortunately he had a bit of a rough showing. Four of the Nationals five runs came in his two innings of work, and the Mets would lose the game 5-1. The bullpen looked pretty good though, and didn't allow another earned run. Daniel Murphy also made his way back onto the field, going 1 for 3. The full box score can be found here.

The Mets are hoping that Opening Day will be their 15th such sellout, but at the moment there are still tickets remaining for when they take the field against the Padres. If you haven't ever been to an opener, this might be one of the best chances to do so that you ever see.

There was some good news for the Mets on their opener, as it looks like David Wright will probably be ready to go. He hopes to play in a Grapefruit League game today.

Red Sox legend Bobby Valentine will be making a few appearances on your television this season, as the former skipper will be joining SNY for 12-15 games. This makes me happy.

Yesterday at AA

The lucky 13th episode of Amazin' Avenue Audio launched yesterday. Jeff says some nice things about Jeremy Hefner in this one, and it now looks like we'll be seeing lots of him this year.

David looked back at March 28 in Mets history, a day that saw us talking about potential Tom Seaver TRAIDs.

Finally, Rob took a look at some players who are out of options that might be available shortly. there's at least a few guys on that list I'd be fairly happy to see us take a flier on.

Around Baseball

Tim McCarver is retiring. Most of us probably won't be too upset over that, but Jon Bois reminds us of a Mets-related moment in which he was actually kind of fun.

Ramon Ramirez is back with the Giants, after being released earlier in the spring. That was probably a key factor in Brian Sabean getting an extension.

The Yankess released an "outfielder", making Juan Rivera a free agent. He's no Vernon Wells...

Finally for today, BtB takes a look at a player that might be ready for a breakout in 2013.