Santana Aces His Latest Test

Johan Santana cleared another major hurdle after throwing a 36 pitch simulated game this morning at Tradition Field.

Santana threw a variety of pitches under the watchful eyes of the media, pitching coach Dan Warthen, Omar Minaya and even Fred Wilpon.

Nick Evans, Rob Mackowiak, Rene Rivera and Cory Sullivan each of whom swung at and missed his signature changeup. He threw 22 of his 36 pitches for strikes.

Afterward, Santana spoke to the press.

“I feel pretty good,” Santana said. “I don’t see any reasons why I would not be ready for Opening Day. We have been working out, getting everything in the right way, right track, and I don’t think there will be any problems.”

The Mets have not yet announced what the next step will be, but Santana might possibly pitch in a grapefruit league game one day next week.

Everything is going very smoothly and it looks like our ace will take the mound on Opening Day against the Reds.