Monday, April 2, 2012

Spring Training Mission - Success

One of bigger questions for the Mets heading into this Spring Training... okay, check that, it was the biggest question... was how Johan Santana and his shoulder would hold up through the workouts and when he may be able to pitch.

Well, that was answered yesterday morning when Terry Collins told Santana, the rest of the team, and the media that Santana will indeed take the ball this Thursday when the Mets start their 2012 season against the Atlanta Braves.  There was a bit of hesitation a few days ago when Santana had body soreness but he passed his bullpen session on Saturday with flying colors.

For a team that has had so much negativity surrounding them for as long as the Mets have, hearing this piece of information is quite possibly the freshest breath of air they could have asked for.  This sets the tone for the rest of the team; their ace and number 1 guy is here, healthy and ready to go to battle for the long haul.

Santana will be limited to around 80 pitches for his first couple of starts, and thanks to the multiple off days in the early part of the schedule, he will be receiving an extra day's rest for the first few times through the rotation.

Thursday will be fun.  For many reasons. Seeing #57 jog to the mound for the first pitch may be the biggest reason of all.

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