The Mets announced that 21-year-old righthander Jenrry Mejia has a completely torn MCL in his right elbow that will likely require Tommy John surgery. Mejia was examined by Mets medical director Dr. David Altcheck today and had an MRI, though he is expected to seek a second opinion.

Mejia, the organization's No. 1 prospect and No. 44 prospect in baseball entering the season, had been pitching for Triple-A Buffalo, where he had a 2.86 ERA, 21 strikeouts and 14 walks in 28 1/3 innings through his first five starts. If Mejia does have Tommy John surgery, he likely wouldn't return to the mound for a year, costing him the rest of the 2011 season and part of the 2012 season. The surgery would probably push back his timetable to be able to pitch competitively in the big leagues until 2013.