Note: Santana to Pitch BP Today

March 7, 2009 at 10:40 am · 130 comments

by Matthew Cerrone

Update, 11:55 am:

Santana told reporters following his session that he felt ‘pretty good,’ and he no longer sees any reason why he would not be ready to pitch on Opening Day, April 6, in Cincinnati.

“From now on, we go one step at a time,” Santana said, noting he believes he is close to ready to pitch in a game.

Update, 10:40 am:

Santana took the mound around 10 am, threw 30 or so pitches in a two-inning simulated game, complete with a break between innings.

According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Santana looked ‘great,’ while using his slider and change-up.

SNY will run footage today during the game broadcast on Ch.11.

The Mets have yet to announce Santana’s next outing.

Original Post:

Initially, Johan Santana was scheduled to throw another bullpen session today in St. Lucie.

Instead, he is scheduled to throw live batting practice around 10 am, meaning he’ll finally throw to live hitters for the first time this spring – five days ahead of what was said to be last week’s schedule.

regardless of what may end up being penciled in on paper in the clubhouse, assuming all goes well today, i have to think the next step for santana will be some sort of simulated game, then a real game, and if he keeps on trucking, he’d essentially be back on schedule…

{ 130 comments }

Ceetar March 7, 2009 at 9:04 am

Wonder how the media spins this for doom and gloom?

ProudMetFan March 7, 2009 at 9:27 am

I know right?

shea_guevara March 7, 2009 at 10:48 am

“The Mets made Santana throw 36 pitches in a simulated game this morning. Just what are they hiding?!”

shea73 March 7, 2009 at 11:51 am

shea_g

Just one addition to your post:

“The Mets made Santana throw JUST 36 pitches in a simulated game this morning. Just what are they hiding?!”

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 10:53 am

Good news, indeed.

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 11:04 am

No Reyes in the Dominican lineup, Hanley at SS

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 11:10 am

LETS GO D.R!!!

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 11:12 am

I’m with you, for now.. I’m Jewish, and since there is no Israel in the WBC I am rooting for the USA and Puerto Rico cause of my boy Beltran. However, DR has a lot of solid guys in their lineup

Joe Bacci March 7, 2009 at 11:19 am

USA, USA, USA!!!

oh, and… Forza Azzurri!

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:22 am

As an American Met fan born from descendants of English, Irish and Czech heritage, I burn easily and I’m rooting for Puerto Rico because their team is so populated with Mets.

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 11:24 am

LOL! I like PR a lot too, but you gotta hope USA doesn’t flop again this year. Word from the booth is that Pedro might be appearing shortly in relief, this should prove to be interesting!

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:36 am

I hear you. If this were the Olympics and there were gold medals at stake I’d be more into it. I believe if this tournament continues on in future years, after a couple more I’ll get into it and start waving my American flag and stuff, but I’m not there yet.

number15 March 7, 2009 at 12:15 pm

what about venezuela? you have possibly the 2 most important pieces: krod and santana (in spirit)

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 11:25 am

Ohhh!! Felipe!! Hanley over Reyes at SS because of “defensive” reasons and he just throws it away!

Prismo March 7, 2009 at 11:26 am

Yep, hilarious.

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:27 am

Nice choice starting Hanley “the Butcher” Ramirez.

Hernandez_1B March 7, 2009 at 11:29 am

Jose would have made that play easily. Why is that roid/convicted liar Tejada even playing? Reyes and HanRam are so much better. Reyes at short and HanRam at third. Not a difficult decision

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 11:31 am

Maybe he is trying to give the veteran some respect, they were talking about Tejada came back after refusing to play at first

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:33 am

Hanley has never played anywhere but SS in the majors. I guess the logic is Reyes will be the late inning defensive replacement? I doubt Ponson will be able to hold the lead for long, although he has his moments.

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 11:29 am

where’s reyes?!!!!

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 11:36 am

Anyone know when the game is today?

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:38 am

Which game, there are many today?

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 11:39 am

The Mets game of course! lol

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 11:39 am

Mets at 1:10

USA at 2

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:41 am

Yes, Mets on Ch. 11, USA on ESPN vs. CAN

MetsFan06 March 7, 2009 at 12:28 pm

Thanks. I didn’t know where to catch the USA game!

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 11:39 am

The Mets game starts at 1:10.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 11:41 am

Thank you guys!

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 11:51 am

Volquez sure didn’t impress!

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 11:54 am

True, but to be fair to him (and part of my problem with this tournament) it’s like his 2nd or 3rd start of spring training. These guys are not just on pitch counts, but counts significantly lower than 100. It cheapens it for me, knowing the starting pitcher is only going to throw 2 or 3 innings.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 11:58 am

I agree, it totally is the wrong time to be having this tournament!

just-mlb March 7, 2009 at 12:20 pm

is there any way to catch the game online?

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 12:25 pm

MLB.TV

just-mlb March 7, 2009 at 12:33 pm

ok…other than MLB.tv ?

just-mlb March 7, 2009 at 12:33 pm

if im right, u have to pay for that right?

The Belt March 7, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Tejada HR. Man this guy always kills in intl. competitions.

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Is that Phillips in the booth admitting he is an incompetent GM and laughing about it?

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 12:28 pm

we could use nelson cruz now.

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 12:29 pm

wow pedro is pitching!!!!!

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Pedro pitching in the 5th.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Yes it was!…….and I agree he stunk as a GM!

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Double play helps Pedro out.

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 12:33 pm

sign pedro, he looks good!!!

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 12:35 pm

Woah, woah. Hold your horses. I’d like to see if he can go 6+ and still be effective. Pitching 1 inning of relif against a Netherlands team that is full or A ball players isn’t exactly impressive. Let us see how he stacks up against Puerto Rico or USA during a start, then we can talk.

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 12:36 pm

With that being said, I’m rooting for Pedro and I hope he does well enough to impress the Mets.

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 12:38 pm

I know, I am just excited. but he is better than garcia and livan.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Not bad Pedro, not bad!

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 12:42 pm

I wasn’t that impressed, but we’ll see. His breaking balls didn’t have much break to them and he was depositing them in the middle of the plate. Remember, these are Dutch hitters, not Clutch hitters!

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 12:44 pm

lol

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 12:47 pm

That said though pedro’s worst inning is usually the first inning, so we have to consider that as well as it applies to today. We need to see more to be sure!

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 12:45 pm

I hate Hanley Ramirez.

darkstar73 March 7, 2009 at 12:53 pm

Where’s Mike Nichols expanding on his abundant knowledge of MRIs? This news about Santana is worrisome, I think he needs an MRI… stat!

From What I can Gather March 7, 2009 at 12:57 pm

Ughhhh I wish Steve Phillips would just STFU.

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 12:58 pm

pedro is throwing harder!

oleosmirf March 7, 2009 at 12:58 pm

how any american cannot be rooting for team USA is mindboggling to say the least…

darkstar73 March 7, 2009 at 1:02 pm

some people just aren’t into national pride, so what? some people enjoy humanity as a whole more than they do ethnic divisions and patriotism. Is it that mind boggling to accept a view that you yourself don’t have?

GravediggerHebner March 7, 2009 at 2:58 pm

How any Met fan can root for Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Jimmy Rollins, Brian McCann and Shane Victorino is what I find mind boggling. Of course you and I disagree about pretty much everything, so…

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 1:03 pm

wow did you guys see pedro? his fastball is good!!!!

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 1:04 pm

Pedro definetly looks healthy, I’ll say that!

metsin080910 March 7, 2009 at 1:04 pm

I wish ESPN showed the MPH on Pedro’s fastball.

I must say though, in his second inning of work, Pedro looks alright.

His fastball has some life on it ( I would think, they aren’t showing speed.)

His breaking ball is as advertised.

A few more solid outings and Omar better make that incentive-laden offer.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 1:20 pm

Looking good Pedro!

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 1:21 pm

yes he is!

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:21 pm

40 pitches in 3 IP. That is much better than last year. I’d bring him in if he would be better than Livan.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:23 pm

Problem with Pedro and the Mets is the money I believe Pedro is looking for.
I missed him – didn’t turn it on until the Met game was starting…

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:23 pm

Gee is mowing them down. Imagine what Fred can save on uniform letters!

fxcarden March 7, 2009 at 1:24 pm

That loast fastball Pete threw in the 7th was pretty good. I think the Mets may have screwed this one up. There is still time…..come on Omar….bring him back.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Mets have 2 out, bases loaded for Eric Campbell. Who the heck is Eric Campbell?

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Who???

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:28 pm

2008 draft pick. he’s a catcher

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:29 pm

I stand corrected – catcher.

Flores is playing today too. 17 years old. Can’t wait to get a look at him at bat. They’ve got him batting 8th.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:28 pm

LoL – exactly. Apparently he’s a 20 year old in our farm system. I think he’s playing 3rd today?
Unfortunately, he flied out to center with those bases loaded for the 3rd out…

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 1:33 pm

bummer!…. Must be he didn’t get the 80 pitch drill treatment! lol

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Can somone do a pitch by pitch when Flores gets up?

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:35 pm

I can probably do that.

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Thanks. I’m “watching” the WBC through gameday. My ancestors are kicking DR butt.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Gee looked good through 2. No runs, no hits.
I didn’t know much about him but throwing out that last outing (7 runs but only 2 earned), he’s looking like he could be a very competent 5th starter in a year or two.

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Definitely on the radar.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Bottom of the second. Sullivan lead off with a single to center. Flores coming up.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Flores at bat:
First pitch swung out flied out behind first. 1 out.

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:41 pm

thanks. he saved you a bunch of typing. heard he has a nice swing

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:43 pm

You’re welcome. I didn’t get to see much of his swing – lol. Ball was low he went down for and lifted it up in the air behind first.

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Gee should work the third. Any bullpen action?

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Not sure. Bottom of the second just ended. Mets left one on – stranded Sullivan who had a lead off single. Commerical now, so switching to the WBC. I’ll let you know if Gee is pitching the 3rd.

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 1:44 pm

JOSE REYES IS PINCH RUNNING IN THE DOMINICAN GAME

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Top of the third. Roy Merrik? (not sure about that spelling)

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:47 pm

now pitching…..

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:48 pm

I would have left him in

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 1:47 pm

MOISES ALOU IS PINCH HITTING IN THE DOMINICAN GAME

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:51 pm

I switched over just in time to see him fly out to left.

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:51 pm

Go Dutch!

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 1:53 pm

What an upset this could be!

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:53 pm

You know, the pitcher’s name might be Merritt, not Merirk. No name on the uniform.
And he’s coming out. There’s 2 on, first and second, 1 out and O’Day is now coming in. Already a run in for the Nats.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 1:55 pm

sounds like they should have left Gee in!

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:56 pm

LOL – you’ve got that right. B/c O’Day just walked Zimmerman. Bases loaded, 1 out.

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 1:57 pm

tatis just got called for interference…hahahaha

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 1:58 pm

Interference – at the plate? What did he do?

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 1:59 pm

no he was playing 1st base and there was a rundown and he interferred with the baserunner…so the runner was awarded 2nd base instead of being called out

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 1:59 pm

couldn’t get out of the way?

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 2:07 pm

Heads up baserunning really , not much Tatis could do!

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Well, Campbell might be a catcher by trade but he is playing third for the Mets. Must have some experience there too.

Nats up by 3. Single, bunt, error by the Merritthrowing to Evans at first, both safe.
O’Day gave up a walk to load the bases, then a single right over Campbel’s head at third – another run in. Nats scored a 3rd run on a ground out to first.
Could have been worse….

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 2:05 pm

murphy ground rule double

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 2:06 pm

kielty rbi double

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:07 pm

Keilty with a double to score Murph. He’s got some pop in that bat.

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 2:10 pm

willy taveras caught stealing 3rd in the bottom of the 9th with 1 out and hanley ramirez at the plate…still down by one

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 2:10 pm

dominicans down by 1

Jose Reyes March 7, 2009 at 2:12 pm

netherlands beat dominican 3-2

Sylar March 7, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Hanley walks with 2 out

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Wow! Netherlands beats DR!

Agee's Catch March 7, 2009 at 2:15 pm

DR in the losers bracket? this could be interesting

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Castro with an RBI single.
Flores up with 2 on, 1st and third, 2 out. He swung again at the first pitch and flied out to center.
Nast 3, Mets 2.

And wow – I just switched to see that last play at the WBC game. Netherlands won that won, hun?

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm

*won that one….

dominicanboy08 March 7, 2009 at 2:15 pm

I cant believe it!!!

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Based on your name, I’ll just say ’sorry’….

They said Pedro looked pretty good though. 3 innings, 1 hit, 4 Ks?

And O’Day gives up a solo HR. He’s not looking real good today.

Hazmet March 7, 2009 at 2:22 pm

Pedro’s stuff looked OK. But then again he was chucking against the Netherlands. Hard to gauge the speed on his fastball since ESPN didn’t post gun numbers. I’m hoping Petey does well. I have a soft spot in my heart for him and given what we’ve seen from our candidates for the fifth spot if he can have a good showing at the WBC well why not give him 1 year with incentives.

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:24 pm

Ron, Gary and Ralph were just talking about Pedro. Said the reason he probably hasn’t signed yet is b/c he hasn’t bought into the type of contracts that others have went with – like Glavin.
Ralph compared him to Koufax, saying that Pedro had the better career.

darkstar73 March 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm

that’s high praise, but i’d say they had very similar careers, with the big difference being Pedro lasted longer, and was effective for a few extra years, and then not effective at all, but at least still in the game.

Hazmet March 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm

I hate to say it but the only reason I hang with spring training games after three innings is just to hear Ralph when he’s on. He is just a treasure of baseball info and insight.

That comparison is very interesting. Koufax was just before I started watching baseball as a kid but last night on MLB network they were showing Kofax in the WS against the Twins I believe. It was great to watch.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 2:16 pm

So do we get our players back now?

VCarver March 7, 2009 at 2:21 pm

I was rooting for the DR (after the US), but no more unless they start Jose in the next game. Earlier today I blamed Mike Hill for saying they put Ramirez in there for defense but now i think it was Felipe Alou’s explanation to the press because I heard Philips repeat that tripe. So I’m mad at Felipe for dissing Jose.

If they don’t start Jose in the next game then I hope the DR loses.

Hazmet March 7, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Felipe must be mad at the Mets for treating Moises sooooo poorly. ;)

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Just announced that Pelfry has a muscle strain in his left leg. Doctors said treatment ‘rest until healed’. He will not start as scheduled on Monday.

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 2:30 pm

where did u read that?

Hazmet March 7, 2009 at 2:33 pm

Announced on the broadcast

Mets5rocks March 7, 2009 at 2:35 pm

Jesus, for one spring could the Mets catch a break?

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:40 pm

They’re making it out to be a minor injury – for now…

Maineiac March 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Fire every Mets trainer.

It’s too much. Injuries… WBC… this ST has been horrid so far.

FifteenCF March 7, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Yea! Good thing it’s just-Spring- -Training- !!

And c’mon folks, it’s a leg strain, he’ll be back in a week, no worries!

Maineiac March 7, 2009 at 2:56 pm

I’m freakin’ out man I’m freakin’ out!

I’m fine… but its just frustrating reading about all these injuries…

Deep breath in, deep breath out…

MetsFan4Decades March 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm

US ties Canada 1-1.

Sylar March 7, 2009 at 2:57 pm

Canada retakes lead after mammoth Votto homer.

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