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Mets' Santana Pleased With BP Session

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The Associated Press

Published: March 8, 2009

PORT ST. LUCIE - New York Mets ace Johan Santana doesn't see any reason why he won't be ready for Opening Day.

Santana, hindered last week by elbow tightness, threw 36 pitches in live batting practice Saturday before the Mets played an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals. It was the first time he'd faced hitters since knee surgery in October, and said everything went well.

"I pitched today with no problems in my elbow or my arm or anything, so I am fine, and at the same time I was working on my pitches and I was able to command it, so that's what you want to see," Santana said.

The left-hander threw mostly fastballs, but also worked in some off-speed pitches and made it difficult for hitters to get a bat on the ball. Only three pitches were put into play.

Santana took a break after the first 20 pitches to simulate the change in innings.

"For being my first time facing hitters, I think it was pretty good," Santana said. "Everything was there - breaking ball was there, my changeup was there, my arm speed, my legs are there. That's what you are looking for. You look for your legs to be there and to feel comfortable, and that's how I felt."
Pitching coach Dan Warthen liked what he saw, including the energy Santana showed while on the mound. Santana smiled throughout the session, even cracking jokes at times.

"I thought he pitched well," Warthen said. "He's showing progress. Every pitch came out of his hand really well. I thought he located the ball extremely well for the first time seeing hitters."

TWINS: Right-hander Scott Baker has agreed to a $15.25 million, four-year deal.

WHITE SOX: Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon are ready to face hitters.

Both right-handers are scheduled to throw batting practice Monday, the next step after each threw 55 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday without any problem.

Contreras is more than three months ahead of schedule after rupturing his left Achilles' tendon last August. Colon is coming off offseason surgery to clean up some bone chips in his right elbow.

YANKEES: Chien-Ming Wang allowed one run and three hits over three innings in the Yankees' 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The right-hander missed the final 3 1/2 months of last season because of a right foot injury that occurred while he was running the bases during an interleague game against Houston on June 15.

"No problem," Wang said. "It's behind me completely. Feels good."

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