According to Mets.com, Johan Santana underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder.

The procedure was performed by Mets team doctor David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

The timetable for Santana’s return is unclear, although the Mets expressed optimism last week that their ace would be “ready to throw during Spring Training”.

Others have suggested he likely won’t be strong enough to resume a throwing program until mid-March, pushing his big league return back to possibly June or July.

Now the praying starts.

Santana ends the 2010 season with a record of 11-9 and a 2.98 ERA in 199 innings.