There's no question Johan Santana is the Mets' ace when he's healthy. After throwing his final session of the preseason Saturday, it appears the path is clear for Santana to get the ball on opening day. No official announcement will be made until Sunday, presumably to make sure Santana wakes up with no discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder capsule.
Santana's task Saturday was a simulated game. It was a half-hour session, with manager Terry Collins observing, and Santana sounded pleased with his now-concluded spring.
“It’s great, man, it’s great,” Santana said (NYTimes.com). “I worked hard, and to be here right now and to be able to do everything the way it was supposed to be done — I didn’t miss one day — is huge for me.”
As for opening day? Santana: "If everything goes right, I'll be there." (NYTimes.com)
The Mets open the season at the remodeled Citi Field against division rival Atlanta Thursday afternoon. If Santana can't go, it'll probably be R.A. Dickey or Jonathon Niese. The Braves have announced Tommy Hanson will be starting for them.
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