MIAMI — Johan Santana is slated to make his next rehab start in the minors on Friday.
After that . . . Citi Field?
The lefty wouldn’t rule it out yesterday, but Mets assistant GM John Ricco didn’t sound as enthusiastic about the possibility.
“I would love to be at the major league level, but the reality is that I can’t,” said Santana, still recovering from last September’s shoulder surgery. “There’s a process we have to follow.”
That process includes a bullpen session today.
“Once I throw the bullpen, we’ll know better where we are and see what’s next,” Santana said.
He wouldn’t mind if what’s next included an appearance in the majors.
“If in the next outing, everything goes fine, there might be a possibility to pitch in the majors,” Santana said. “No question, if I have a chance to throw a couple of innings, but I don’t see doing more than that. But it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”
Ricco doused those plans a bit.
“The thing we’re most concerned about is not getting him back to the major leagues, but setting him up for next year,” Ricco said. “He’ll continue his rehab process with competition if he can, and we may have to get creative.”
Ricco seemed more interested in seeing Santana pitch in winter ball, where he could get his arm strength back to where he could pitch deep into a game — something that would not happen with the Mets this season.
Of greater importance is for Santana to not have any more setbacks, like he did after his first rehab start.
“I feel way better [this time],” Santana said. “[Sunday], I didn’t throw a baseball and I feel much better compared to [last time]. I did too much, too soon.”
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Jon Niese is “not close” to returning, according to Ricco. The lefty is rehabbing in Port St. Lucie. . . . The Mets are set to make three call-ups today, with outfielder Mike Baxter being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. The Mets will also select the contracts of RHP pitcher Chris Schwinden and first baseman Valentino Pascucci from Buffalo.
Baxter hit .250 (4-for-16) when he was with the Mets last month. Schwinden, 24, was the Mets’ 22nd round pick in the 2008 draft and was 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA with Buffalo this season. Pascucci, 32, hit .259 with 21 home runs and 91 RBIs in 129 games with the Bisons this year.