Coleman: Johan Santana's Return To The Mets Could Only Be One Month Away

By Ed Coleman
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David Wright may not be the only prominent Met set to make a return to the team. Plans are in motion to have ace lefthander Johan Santana pitching on the CitiField mound during August, with the tentative date set for a month from today - August 21. The Mets make their final West Coast trip prior to that, with series in Arizona and San Diego. They then return home for a brief weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers before heading down the turnpike to face the Phillies. Santana would pitch the Sunday game against the Brewers.

The timetable is fluid, but Santana would be slated to pitch in Brooklyn for the Cyclones on August 6 when they host the Staten Island Yankees. There then would be a couple of starts at Triple AAA Buffalo on August 11 (vs. Syracuse) and August 16 (vs. Toledo). The Bisons begin a 10-game homestand on August 10 that runs through the 19th. That would put Santana in line to pitch in New York on the 21st.

Santana has been throwing bullpens and feeling great immediately after, and also in the days that have followed those pens. He did experience some shoulder soreness about a month or so ago, but that was considered a natural by-product of serious shoulder surgery. There's a possibility of a rehab start in Port St. Lucie where Santana has been working out, but that is undetermined at the present time.

Santana's spring training "officially" began on July 11, so if you project out 6 weeks the timetable is pretty much in sync. But all dates are subject to change depending on how Santana feels after each outing. More time could be built in. But if he can go every five days - and that's a big if - he could possibly make two more starts at Citi Field after the 21st - against Atlanta and Florida - during the month of August. Stay tuned.

C U soon
Eddie C.

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