Mets' Gee headed to DL with artery clot in right shoulder

Right-hander Dillon Gee had a blood clot in his right shoulder surgically treated Tuesday, and the New York Mets announced they would place him on the disabled list.

Gee was taken to a hospital in New York on Monday after experiencing numbness in his fingers. An angiogram and MRI exam discovered the clot.

A catheter was used to break up the blood clot, according to multiple media reports. Gee will remain hospitalized until at least Wednesday so doctors can be certain the problem has been fully rectified.

Gee, 26, is 6-7 with a 4.10 ERA this season and 21-15 in his career.

Because he pitched July 7, a disabled-list move made retroactively would make him eligible to return July 23. However, there is no timetable for his return.

Gee was due to start for the Mets in Friday's series opener at Atlanta, but Chris Young will pitch that game instead. All-Star R.A. Dickey will start Saturday, but Sunday's slot is uncertain.

Johan Santana left his last outing before the All-Star break on Friday in the fifth inning with a slight ankle sprain, but Santana and the Mets both said he wouldn't miss a turn in the rotation. He could pitch Sunday, or the Mets might use Jon Niese.

Right-hander Miguel Batista will move from the bullpen at least temporarily to take Gee's rotation spot, according to manager Terry Collins. Batista, 41, is 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA in 26 games (four starts) this season.

According to the New York Times, Collins said the Mets would recall a reliever from the minor leagues to fill Gee's roster spot.