"Chris Young's Mets career, if not already finished, is in serious jeopardy.

The team received a jolt yesterday, when Young was diagnosed with a tear of the anterior capsule of his right shoulder -- essentially the same injury that has kept Johan Santana sidelined since last September.

Assistant general manager John Ricco, speaking before the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Rockies last night, classified Young's injury as a "re-tear," noting the right-hander sustained the same injury last year pitching for the Padres. Young must now decide between season-ending surgery and rehabilitation. The latter option would perhaps give Young a chance of returning later in the year.

"I'm not going to speculate yet," Ricco said, when asked about Young's prospects for this season.

Young went the rehab route last season after tearing his anterior capsule in April and returned to pitch three September games for the Padres in the heat of a pennant race.

The Mets signed Young to an incentive-laden contract last winter (only $1.1 million was guaranteed) well aware of the risk involved. Young also had shoulder problems in 2009 that led to arthroscopic surgery.

Young, who is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts this season, was scratched from his Saturday start against the Dodgers when he couldn't get loose before the game. Young had a stint on the disabled list last month for what was called biceps tendinitis."