Frank Viola's open-heart surgery a success

Frank Viola underwent successful heart surgery today to repair a recently diagnosed heart defect found during a spring training physical. Viola had been slated to serve as the pitching coach for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s. Prior to his promotion to the Triple-A coaching staff, he had served for two years as the pitching coach for the Double-A Savannah Sand Gnats, winning a Coach of the Year award in 2013. Before that, Viola served as the pitching coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2011.

Viola had a successful pitching career, amassing 47.1 fWAR over twelve seasons with a 176-150 record as a starting pitcher. He won the Cy Young award in 1988 with the Minnesota Twins and was a 20-game winner with the Mets in 1990. Viola played in one postseason, in 1987 with the Twins, where he pitched to a 3-1 record on his way to a World Series title.

For now, Tom SIgnore, who had been slated to join Brooklyn as a pitching coach this year, will fill in for Viola in Vegas. Here's to a quick and successful recovery. We wish Viola the best as he continues his recovery.