Alderson Not Counting On Johan Santana To Start Season

Sandy Alderson told reporters that he has no illusions that Johan Santana will be ready for Opening Day.

“Really the question is, when exactly will he be ready?” Alderson said. “Nobody has told us he’ll miss the season or anything of that sort, but certainly we have to assume he won’t start the season.”

Santana is coming off surgery to repair the capsular in his left shoulder.

He is in the fourth year of a six year, $137.5 million contract that will pay him $22.5 million in 2011, $24 million in 2012, and $25.5 million in 2013.

Alderson’s honest and realistic approach is so refreshing. He’s a straight shooter, unlike the former regime that sugar coated all player injuries and operated the team assuming unrealistic best case scenarios and then being caught unprepared for setbacks.