MLB

Santana sails through Brooklyn rehab start, could rejoin Mets next

Johan Santana thrived in Brooklyn, and as a result Queens may be next.

In his first — and possibly only — rehabilitation start since being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle July 21, the Mets lefty cruised through three innings of work for Class A Brooklyn at MCU Park in Coney Island yesterday. He struck out three, allowed one hit and walked one against the Auburn Doubledays, a team he pitched for while in the Astros system years ago.

Most importantly, Santana reported no health issues — in fact, he said it was the best he has felt in some time.

“It’s good to pitch without any problems,” Santana said. “I haven’t had that in a while.”

He retired nine of the 11 batters he faced, walking one and yielding a single in the second. Santana worked out of the jam by getting Wes Schill to weakly ground out to second to end the threat.

BOX SCORE

Showing no ill effects of his bum ankle, Santana pounded the zone, throwing 29 of his 38 pitches for strikes. Santana estimated he threw 90 pitches altogether, factoring in three simulated innings he tossed in the bullpen following his three-inning stint.

He used all three of his pitches — fastball, slider and changeup — effectively. Two of his three strikeouts came on his renowned changeup, including the final out, when Khayyan Norfork was unable to hold up on the well-placed off-speed delivery.

“I felt pretty good,” said Santana, who is 6-7 with a 3.98 ERA in 19 starts over 110²/₃ innings with the Mets. “I was able to throw some fastballs and changeups, and my slider was there. … I wasn’t trying to do anything different, just compete.”

It has been a wild year for Santana, from coming all the way back from reconstructive shoulder surgery to pitching the first no-hitter in Mets history to injuring his right ankle and allowing six earned runs apiece in three straight starts before going on the disabled list.

“We’re going to go with a new chapter and see where we go from here,” he said.

Santana said he is ready to rejoin the Mets when they return home tomorrow from their recent 11-game West Coast trip. Santana will see how his body responds today and then meet with manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen.

“We’ll see how everything goes on Tuesday,” Santana said. “I’m dying [to return]. I can’t wait to see my teammates.”