Report: Mets' Johan Santana 'Unlikely' To Return In 2011

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Which do you want first, Mets fans, the good news or the bad news?

According to TCPalm.com, Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time in nearly a month on Tuesday.

Santana felt shoulder discomfort after pitching three innings for the St. Lucie Mets on July 28. Fearing a further setback to his repaired left shoulder, the team temporarily shut their ace down.

He was later diagnosed with shoulder fatigue.

"We're just taking it one step at a time," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said, according to the website. "We're back on track. We'll see where he is."

So that's the good news.

As for the bad, the New York Post wrote on Thursday that while it hasn't been ruled out, "it seems unlikely" that Santana will return in 2011.

With the Mets slipping further and further from contention, why rush him?

"We're starting to look at Instructional League and winter ball and all those sorts of things," said Alderson. "But at some point, he's going to need a good period of rest also."

Should the Mets bring Santana up for a look? Make your case in the comments below...