MLB

Mets say Johan won’t be back till July

PITTSBURGH — Counting the days to the All-Star break and Johan Santana’s targeted return to the Mets? Not so fast.

Manager Terry Collins yesterday said it’s more likely the Mets will have to wait until at least late July for their ace lefty’s return. Santana, recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder, has been throwing from the mound in Port St. Lucie but has not begun facing batters.

“Should we plan on [the All-Star break]? I don’t know if we should,” Collins said before the Mets faced the Pirates at PNC Park. “In a perfect world if everything continues at the pace that it is, it’s a realistic goal. But I’m probably looking more toward the end of July than the All-Star break.”

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The Mets have been careful not to set a rigid timetable during Santana’s rehab, but general manager Sandy Alderson and Collins had been consistent all spring in setting the All-Star break or earlier as the target. Now it could be the trade deadline.

Pitching coach Dan Warthen told The Post it’s likely Santana will begin facing batters by Tuesday or Wednesday. The Mets originally hoped Santana would face hitters this week, but the lefty’s velocity throwing from the mound hasn’t been at a consistent level.

Can the Mets count on having the old Santana when he returns?

“Who knows?” Warthen said. “You could have two good [starts], and then you could be flat. By all indications he should be back to being Johan next year.”

Collins said it’s possible Santana will come to Citi Field during the next homestand just for a change of scenery and the opportunity to throw a side session in front of the major league staff. Even after Santana begins facing batters, he will still need an extended minor league rehab assignment before joining the Mets.

Though the Mets certainly will welcome back Santana with open arms once he’s healthy, they are in no hurry to mess with a good thing. Entering last night’s action, Mets starting pitchers had posted a 2.78 ERA over their previous 14 games. Only the Pirates and Diamondbacks had a better ERA from their starters over that stretch.

Collins and Alderson won’t have to face the decision for a while over who should be bumped from the rotation to make room for Santana. Though last night’s starter, Dillon Gee, has been the Mets’ most consistent starter, the fact he has minor league options would make him a candidate for removal, but the more likely scenario would involve sending Chris Capuano to the bullpen.

Of course, the Mets still could trade a starting pitcher, and there’s always the possibility another injury will create a vacancy in the rotation by the time Santana is ready.

About the only certainty is the Mets aren’t going to rush Santana, who is signed through 2013 and owed $50.5 million for the next two seasons. That’s in addition to a $5.5 million buyout for 2014 if the Mets don’t exercise Santana’s $25 million option.

Collins wants Santana at full strength before he joins the team.

“He’s going to be ready to go deep into a game,” Collins said. “We’re going to make sure we don’t have to give him an extra day before he does his sides. The future is too much for this guy to bring him up and have him be a part of it if he’s not ready.”

mpuma@nypost.com