NEW YORK — A.J. Minter was finally feeling whole again on the mound.

The lefty's lower back pain, stemming from a left hip impingement that persisted over the last two seasons, had disappeared after season-ending hip surgery last August.

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After signing a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets this offseason, Minter was finally getting full extension in his delivery and driving down the mound. That made what happened next all the more frustrating for the 31-year-old veteran.

In his outing on April 26, Minter felt some tightness in what he believed to be his triceps. An MRI revealed a torn lat. Now, Minter faces a second straight season-ending surgery and a 10- to 12-month recovery.

"That’s the toughest thing is I worked so hard this offseason to come back and help this team," Minter said. "You got to go into it in the same mindset. To come back, attack the offseason. It’s an exciting time to be in this organization. I want to take full advantage of it and help this team out next year."

After deliberating with his doctors and trying to protect the longevity of his career, Minter said an agreement was reached surgery, which will reattach the muscle to the bone, was the best option.

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Minter said that the understanding is that he will go roughly six months without throwing before beginning to prepare for next spring training. He expects to be cautious in mapping out his return to game action.

"The goal is to come in and have somewhat of a normal spring training and at the start of the season, depending on how I feel, go out on a rehab assignment and see how long it takes me to get back here," Minter said.

The left-hander was off to a strong start in a high-leverage role for the Mets, posting a 1.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11 innings and a 1.00 WHIP.

"I think my velocity was increasing at a pretty rapid rate, maybe that had something to do with it, There’s so many scenarios. I wish it wouldn’t have happened. The frustrating part is I was feeling so good and excited to help this team, because it is a special team this year."

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The Mets bullpen was hit hard in a weeklong stretch. After Minter's injury was revealed, fellow left-hander Danny Young was diagnosed with a left elbow strain and has elected to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Genesis Cabrera, a seven-year veteran, is now the lone lefty reliever on the Mets' roster. He pitched to a 3.59 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 62⅔ innings with the Blue Jays last season. He has allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk in 2⅓ innings so far with the Mets.

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The Mets re-signed Brooks Raley to a one-year deal with a club option for a second season in the final week of April. Raley, who appeared in eight games for the Mets last season, is working back from Tommy John surgery and has begun throwing bullpen sessions.

The Mets also signed 31-year-old left-hander Colin Poche to a minor league deal on Wednesday. Poche pitched in 12 games for the Nationals this season, allowing 11 earned runs in 8⅔ innings.

In Triple-A Syracuse, left-hander Anthony Gose is 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 14⅓ innings. He would need to be added to the 40-man roster to be called up.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: AJ Minter injury: NY Mets pitcher talks season-ending surgery