by Ken Rosenthal

Fantasy impact

Rotter: The loss of J.J. Putz shoud not affect fantasy owners very much. Failing as a setup man, he offered poor value as a reliever with poor ratios and scarce save chances. Francisco Rodriguez's fantasy value remains strong as one of the top fantasy relievers. He's second in saves and owns a 0.73 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.

Putz was put on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

"(The recovery) can't come quick enough," Putz told FOXSports.com. "Just getting out there, being healthy, being able to throw without thinking, 'Is this pitch going to hurt? Is that pitch going to hurt?' It's tough to pitch that way."

Putz, 32, had lost velocity and the ability to throw his split-fingered fastball due to the bone spur.

"If you look at the way I was pitching, I wasn't really getting out in front and letting loose," he said. "I knew it was going to hurt. Mechanically, I was trying to make an adjustment to protect it from hurting. At the same time, I had zero stuff when I went out on the mound."

Putz said he learned of the spur last season with the Mariners, when he spent more than a month on the disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow.

"The doctor in Seattle made it sound like, 'It's there, but it shouldn't affect you,' which can be true. But if it gets worse, it can affect you."

Putz said the spur had grown larger and developed a fracture since his previous MRI on May 13. Doctors told him that 7 to 10 days after he undergoes surgery, he will find it much easier to straighten his arm.

"Even today when I got the MRI, when I had to straighten it out, it would bite. You get that zing from the spur rubbing.

"I'm excited that I'll at least make a contribution toward the end of the year."

Acquired by the Mets last offseason to set up new closer Francisco Rodriguez, Putz was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA in 29 games. He has allowed eight runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings in his most recent outings. He complained of pain after Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

"That's why he's pitching not the way we're used to seeing J.J.," New York general manager Omar Minaya said before the Mets' game with Washington on Friday.

His surgery will be performed by Mets medical director David Altchek.

Mets left-hander Billy Wagner, recovering from Tommy John surgery, told MLB.com last month that he is aiming for a return in late July or August.

The returns of Putz and Wagner would give the Mets three pitchers who have enjoyed success as closers.

The team's immediate problem, however, will be building a late-inning bridge to Rodriguez.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.