PORT ST. LUCIE — Johan Santana can almost start planning to resume his Mets career against the Braves, whom he was facing when his left shoulder popped two years ago.
Barring a setback today, Santana will be named the Mets’ Opening Day starter, after throwing two simulated innings in a bullpen session yesterday at Digital Domain Park.
“Today I had a good day,” Santana said. “Once I warmed up, everything was good. Then I did a couple of ups and downs with my bullpen, and I feel great.”
Manager Terry Collins plans to meet with Santana today and make the final decision. Collins indicated it would be a big deal to have Santana start the opener on Thursday, but no risks will be taken.
“It means a lot for a lot of people and even him,” Collins said. “He’s worked so hard to get back and be where he’s at, but I told him that I’m not going to sacrifice the last six months, the last two years, he’s worked his butt off for one start just to have him pitch Opening Day. [Today] we’re going to sit down with a number of people involved and make the correct decision.”
The odds of Santana surviving spring training without a setback might have seemed slim at the beginning of camp, but the Mets ace is now on the brink of Opening Day at Citi Field.
He was facing the Braves at Turner Field on Sept. 2, 2010, when he left the start early with what the Mets originally called a strained pectoral muscle. Later in the month he underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. He never made it back to the major leagues last year. It’s been a different story this spring.
“I didn’t miss one day — it’s huge for me,” Santana said. “But we still have to work. We’re not done yet. We’re just in the beginning of everything.
“The season hasn’t even started and I just have to get into that routine where I go 80-plus, 90-plus pitches every five games. In order to do that, I have to get into a season, and that is what we’re looking forward to. But as of right now, everything has been good and I feel great.”
Santana, who went 0-1 with a 3.44 ERA in five Grapefruit League appearances, admitted he scuffled in his last start Monday, when he allowed two early runs against the Cardinals. He indicated his body was sore during and after the outing.
“It was a tough day, a rough day,” Santana said. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was the first time I went over 80 pitches or even 70. I just felt it a little bit, but I was able to battle through it and throw all my pitches and stay with my slider and my changeup. That’s what I was doing at the end of the game last time, but I recovered and today I’m fine.”
Pitching coach Dan Warthen said Santana was throwing “free and easy” yesterday after dealing with the body soreness in recent days.
“It hasn’t been the arm at any time, it’s been more the wear and tear on the body getting back in shape,” Warthen said. “[But] today he could have pitched very easily.”