Johan Santana will have to be operated by bone chips in his left elbow and Zambrano was the New York Mets will miss the rest of the baseball season.
The Mets said their 30 years as should be fit in time for training camp next year.
The Mets general manager Omar Minaya said that Santana was evaluated by the All-Star break and said the injury worsened in recent weeks, especially after his last outing.
"Above all it's pain," Minaya said.
"We all want to see Johan Santana throwing in September. But this is the right decision because we want to see him pitching for a long time, "he added.
The Mets feared that the southpaw had a serious injury, but instead undergo minor arthroscopic surgery.
The winner of two Cy Young Awards still has four years remaining on his contract for six seasons and $ 137.5 million.
Santana is the 12th. Mets player ending the disabled list, joining David Wright, Carlos Beltrán, José Reyes, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Francoeur, Putz and Maine, among others.
