MySports Today

Johan Santana made his spring debut on Thursday against the Florida Marlins.  Santana is glad that it is finally over with.  Santana last 2 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs and 4 hits in the 16-8 loss.  He struck out 2 Marlins batters and hit a batter.  He did have a perfect 1st inning – throwing only 10 pitches.

Santana had this to say about the outing:  “It’s just I had a little setback.  I worked out and did all the treatment I was supposed to do and got back on track.  I knew all along I was fine.  It was just a matter of time, getting the game situations and facing hitters, and tonight was the time.  The first time being in a real game situation, I felt pretty good.  I was able to get everything going right away and throw all my pitches.  It was a good sign.”

Good news Mets fans.  Although the outing wasn’t Santana-like, it was good to see Santana back on the mound throwing all of his pitches.  Hopefully the minor setback is a thing of the past and won’t turn into a nagging issue throughout the 2009 MLB season.  The lead pitching role falls squarely on Santana’s shoulders – if he doesn’t perform at least as well as he did in 2008, the Mets will not win the NL East.  So far so good – Santana is pain-free following the start and is still on track to be the Mets opening day starter against the Cincinnati Reds on April 6th.