New York Mets' run toward the MLB playoffs has gotten much tougher with the team's placement of All-Star starting pitcher Johan Santana on the 15-day disabled list with an ankle injury.

ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin is reporting via Twitter about Santana heading to the DL:

Johan Santana to DL, officially with ankle injury.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) July 21, 2012

There were concerns from around the majors that Santana was going too hard too soon after having shoulder surgery, but the pitcher's recent struggles don't appear to be related to that previous injury.

Just as Rubin stated, the belief is that any other soreness in his shoulder or any missteps in his delivery can be attributed to the sore ankle.

 

What It Means

The New York Mets sit 4.5 games out of one of the NL wild-card spots, and losing Santana may be too big of a blow for the talented team to overcome.

While R.A. Dickey is ...

Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - MLB By Donald Wood