CHICAGO — Any concerns Terry Collins had about Johan Santana in the aftermath of the lefty’s 134-pitch no-hitter have completely vanished.
The Mets manager yesterday indicated watching Santana handle the Cubs for six innings Monday night erased any lingering doubt. It was a second straight strong start for Santana following two clunkers after the June 1 no-hitter against the Cardinals.
“I’m happy that we got the no-hitter, but as we continue down this road he’s going to throw up a lot of zeroes,” Collins said. “He was only going to do that if he’s healthy, so I’m glad he’s healthy.”
Santana was removed after 102 pitches for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning on Monday with the Mets trailing 2-0, but Collins revealed the lefty would have remained in the game if his turn in the lineup hadn’t come. Collins was thinking in terms of 115-120 pitches for Santana.
“My conscience is pretty clear we can ride him,” Collins said.
* It would seem unlikely that Jenrry Mejia or Josh Edgin will be in position to join the Mets bullpen anytime soon. Both have struggled with consistency at Triple-A Buffalo, according to Collins.
The righty Mejia may soon resume starting at Buffalo — he has been in the bullpen the last two weeks to be evaluated for a potential promotion to the Mets as a reliever.
“He’s making mistakes around the plate and we’ve just got to give him a chance to get better,” Collins said before the Mets’ 5-3 loss to the Cubs last night.
The lefty Edgin had a dominant spring training for the Mets, but has struggled with his command at Buffalo.
“But he is going to get here,” Collins said. “There is no doubt in my mind.”
* Collins hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Jason Bay rejoining the team before the All-Star break. Bay, who has begun physical activity after suffering a concussion on June 15, could resume baseball activities by the weekend and perhaps begin a minor league rehab assignment next week. But the Mets will also be cautious with Bay, who has suffered two concussions in three seasons.
* David Wright, whose 15-game hitting streak was snapped, is a homer away from tying Howard Johnson for third place on the Mets’ all-time list. Johnson hit 192 homers for the Mets. Only Darryl Strawberry (252) and Mike
Piazza (220) hit more.