Collins Wants To See Johan Santana For Himself

Terry Collins spoke to reporters before the game last night and said he wants to have Johan Santana come to New York during the next homestand so him and Dan Warthen can watch him pitch.

Collins also said it’s more likely the Mets will have to wait until at least late July for Santana’s return. The Mets prized left-hander is recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder, and has been throwing off the mound in Port St. Lucie, but has yet to pitch to any batters.

“Should we plan on the All-Star break? I don’t know if we should,” Collins said. “In a perfect world if everything continues at the pace that it is, it’s a realistic goal. But I’m probably looking more toward the end of July than the All-Star break.”

The Mets are hopeful that Santana can begin throwing batting practice by this Tuesday or Wednesday. After that, the next step will be an extended minor league rehab assignment before joining the Mets.

So far, there hasn’t been one setback during Johan’s recovery and everything has progressed according to plan. If the Mets can stay within five games of the wild card spot, and if Johan pitches like the Johan of old, this just may be the start of something big.