Johan Santana has re-injured his left anterior capsule, and may be lost for the season.

After what seemed like a major success story when Santana came back after shoulder surgery to repair the torn capsule last year, the tear has recurred, putting Johan back on the shelf.

“A second surgery is a strong possibility,” general manager Sandy Alderson said.

Santana, who turned 34 earlier this month, is in the final guaranteed season of a six-year, $137.5 million with the club.

Santana returned to the majors last season and had first-half success, including the first no-hitter in franchise history on June 1. However, Santana faded badly before landing on the disabled list in August.

The Mets attributed the swoon and shortened 2012 season to multiple factors: arduous rehab work the previous winter that left him worn down, an ankle injury caused when Reed Johnson stepped on Santana’s ankle during a bang-bang play while the southpaw covered first base, and a lower-back injury.

We could all play the role of South Park’s Captain Hindsight here and say Santana should not have been allowed to complete his 134-pitch no-hitter last year.  We all would have made the same decision Terry Collins did, and besides, we don’t yet know for sure if that’s what did him in.  As Joe Janish has stated multiple times in the past, Johan has always had faulty mechanics, and more shoulder trouble was inevitable.

No matter what the cause, this is bad news for the Mets.  If you’re looking for a silver lining, however, this opens the door for Zack Wheeler, much as the second departure of Tom Seaver opened the door for Dwight Gooden in 1984.  However Wheeler shouldn’t be called up until at least May – and maybe June, for sound business reasons.

Wow, I almost went through an entire spring training without suggesting that the Mets consider Manny Ramirez. That was a close one!

Practice baseball is almost over, and Opening Day is coming up on April 1st (no foolin’).

Several projections and previews are in, but we’ll never know what happens until the games are played, no?  My favorite projection is this one by Sports Illustrated for its even-handedness.  Also for this intriguing quote by a scout which is sure to fire up the haters on Twitter:

This spring, a scout praised manager Terry Collins for changing “that obnoxious culture that [former GM] Omar [Minaya] created…”

Speaking of haters on Twitter, a lot of us like to tweet with other fans during Mets games.  Daily Stache has a handy guide of Dos and Don’ts for those of you who are new to the Mets Twitterverse.  On an egotistical note, I agree with his list of people to follow, but I also humbly suggest you follow a certain @PaulJFesta as well.

Even though the season is four days away, there is still time for new acquisitions – as long as they can be had at bargain-basement prices.

In other news, VP of Business Operations Dave Howard left the Mets to join MSG.  Leaving the Wilpons to work for Dolan?  Is there more to this than what we see on the surface?

Also, Jay Horwitz was on the Today Show, and SI will have a piece on the promise and tragic end of a former Mets prospect.

Have a great week/weekend, and keep checking out Mets Today.

I had no idea Deney Terrio could pitch, too!

Oh wait, the kid’s name is Dan Otero. As Roseann Roseannadanna would say, “Never mind.” (Hmm … dating myself much?)

Though, if you don’t know how to disco, maybe this can help …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eu0UV0xruY

A few days ago we wondered if the Mets might look to improve their depth in center field, and suggested Ezequiel Carrera as a possibility. Well, Carrera has been DFA’d by the Indians — should the Mets pick up the 25-year-old speedster? Why or why not?

Elvin has left the (re)building …