"The Mets' hope that Johan Santana would return this season, while not officially dead, appears more unlikely then ever.

As scheduled, Santana underwent a shoulder examination at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and was diagnosed with fatigue of the left shoulder.

The Mets called his exam "otherwise normal," and said that Santana would spend the next week with the team at Citi Field and rest from throwing, but "maintain a fitness program" and "resume his throwing program once his shoulder is at full strength."

That means Santana, who made one minor-league rehabilitation start before experiencing a setback this week, has taken a step back in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder last September."