Wang needs a tear in his capsule repaired, apparently. The capsule is the soft-tissue membrane. Typically, the capsule is tightened in surgery.

The Yankees either don’t know or aren’t saying how long Wang will be out. But it will be for the rest of this season and quite likely some of next season as well. This will be Wang’s second shoulder surgery in eight years.

Seriously, what a bummer. Wang won 19 games each in 2006 and 2007 before getting hurt last year (Lisfranc/foot injury). An armchair doctor like me can only wonder if the lack of strength/pain in his foot changed his delivery, resulting in this shoulder injury.

UPDATE: Tyler Kepner has more on this subject. Particularly interesting is the chain of events that put Wang in the position to be running from second base on the play that tore up his foot:

Wang came to bat in that game against the Astros’ Roy Oswalt with one out and runners on first and second in the top of the sixth inning. He put down a bunt, attempting to sacrifice the runners. But Oswalt fielded it and forced the lead runner at third, and that is why Wang was on the bases.

Damon bounced to shortstop for what would have been an inning-ending out. But an error by the Astros’ Miguel Tejada prolonged the inning and put Wang on second.

Derek Jeter singled to right, and Wang was running with two outs. The Yankees led by just 3-0, and his run was important. He rounded third to score easily, but on his way there he tore apart his foot.

Wang scored the run but had to be helped off the field, ending his season and setting in motion a chain of events that have swiftly and mercilessly stifled what had been one of the great early careers any Yankees pitcher has ever had. (Look it up.)

it’s the nature of sports, of course. Just ask Bo Jackson or Brien Taylor, for that matter — how everything can change in an instant. it’s just a shame, another rotten bit of news for a great pitcher and a good guy.