Manager Terry Collins spoke to Johan Santana yesterday, and though the left-hander isn’t back on the mound yet, the discomfort that forced him to come to New York for tests has gone away.
“He says he’s feeling a lot better,” Collins said. “He says the discomfort is gone.”
The Mets still haven’t officially ruled Santana out for returning this season after his rehab from September shoulder surgery has gone slower than they expected — but not longer than that of others who have had similar procedures.
“I was relieved it was just fatigue,” Collins said. “He wants to pitch. As soon as he gets back out there, it starts the clock [for him coming back].”
Collins said he remains unconcerned that Santana will force the issue.
“I think he’s staying patient,” Collins said. “He’s resigned to the fact this could be process could take some time.”
* Ike Davis got a second opinion on the bone bruise on his left ankle yesterday in North Carolina, where doctors agreed he should give it another four weeks to heal before deciding whether to undergo microfracture surgery.
* Jason Isringhausen is now just one save shy of 300 for his career.
“I’ll worry about that when it comes,” said Isringhausen, adding the possibility of reaching the milestone will not affect him on the mound. “Not when I get out there. I won’t be more nervous than I was tonight with a one-run lead.”
* Collins said he expects Mike Baxter to get his first major league start tonight against the Padres.
The Whitestone native was called up before Monday’s game He entered the game in the seventh last night as part of a double-switch and went 0-for-2.
The Archbishop Molloy graduate who only came off the bench during a September stint with San Diego. The Mets claimed him off waivers last month.
Unlike most other call-ups who stay at a nearby Holiday Inn, Baxter is staying with his parents in Queens.
* The Mets’ make-up game for the Aug. 3 rainout against the Marlins will be rescheduled for Aug. 29 as part of a single admission doubleheader, starting at 4:10 p.m. Tickets from the Aug. 3 game will not be honored but they can be exchanged for tickets comparable in price and location for any future Mets home game before Aug, 3, 2012.