PORT ST. LUCIE — One step at a time for Johan Santana.
The Mets ace had some gusto on his throws yesterday as he long-tossed to Oliver Perez at the team’s minor-league complex. The more significant step will come today, when Santana throws off a mound for the first time since undergoing August surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow.
“We did a pretty good job in the offseason working out with the rehab,” Santana said after the Mets opened a three-day voluntary mini-camp. “I’m feeling good. Everything is on schedule.”
Those words should be music to the ears of Mets fans, who realize a healthy Santana is objective No. 1 if the team has any chance of contending in 2010.
Santana finished 13-9 with a 3.13 ERA last season — insisting at the time of his Aug. 25 shutdown that he would have continued pitching if his team were in the playoff race. He started spring training with a sore elbow and was sidelined, but returned in time to start the season.
“Right now we just have to focus on the pitches — to make sure we get over 90 pitches by Opening Day,” Santana said. “That’s exactly what we did last year, and I felt pretty good last year. We’ll see exactly where we end up with the program once spring training starts.”
The Mets also were encouraged to see Perez back on the field — sporting a new beard — for the first time since undergoing surgery last August to remove scar tissue from his right knee.
Perez was criticized last spring for returning out of shape from the World Baseball Classic. At the team’s request he has spent this offseason working out at the Fischer Sports Facility in Arizona. Perez told The Post he has shed 10 pounds, dropping his weight to 215.
After signing a three-year contract worth $36 million last winter, Perez was a disaster, finishing 3-4 with a 6.82 ERA in 14 starts.
“I understand what happened last year — that can happen to anybody,” Perez said. “If I’m healthy, I know what kind of pitcher I am. Right now I don’t feel anything [with the knee] and that’s why I feel real happy. I feel real strong and I’m excited to get back and start the season.”
A third potential member of the Mets’ rotation, Jon Niese, threw off a mound for the first time since tearing his right hamstring while covering first base last August. John Maine was scheduled to attend the mini-camp, but canceled because of weather-related travel problems. Daniel Murphy was the lone position player in attendance. The Mets are expecting Kelvim Escobar to arrive today.
Santana spent most of the morning session with Perez, perhaps a sign the Mets hope the latter can learn a few things by osmosis.
“Ollie looks good,” Santana said. “That’s the kind of attitude we have to have — you want to play, you want to pitch, you want to go out there, you want to help, you want to perform.”