24
2011
Is Bringing Santana Back This Season Worth The Risk?
An article by 
Johan Santana threw a bullpen session today at Sun Lite Stadium in front of Terry Collins, John Debus, and Randy Niemann.
According to the NY Times, Santana said he felt good after throwing 45 pitches in the bullpen Sunday morning, paving the way for him to begin pitching in minor-league rehabilitation games.
If Santana’s surgically repaired left shoulder feels fine Monday, it is likely he will pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday.
“That’s what we’re looking for,” Santana said. “As of right now, it’s a wait-and-see mode. We’ll see how it is tomorrow and go from there.”
Right now, the Mets are not gaining any ground on the Braves in the NL Wild Card standings. With the loss last night against the Marlins, the Mets are still 8 1/2 games back of the Braves for the final spot in the postseason. As the Mets continue to gain no ground whatsoever on the Wild Card race, is it really worth bringing Santana back this season?
It’s great to see Johan doing well in his rehab, and I am impressed with how the Mets have handled his rehab, but at the same time the Mets smight want to play it safe and take a more conservative approach with the left-hander.
It would be better for him to continue rehabbing his arm and then come back fully healthy in 2012.
Who needs Johan to return this season and run the risk of him getting injured again?
What are your thoughts?
Would you bring Johan Santana back this season?
Do you think the Mets are doing the right thing by bringing him back to pitch this season?
About the Author: Brandon Butler
Brandon is currently a MMO Minor League Staff Writer. He is also the co-host of the Mets Madness Podcast on Talkshoe Radio. Brandon lives in Hornell, NY.
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I might be overlooking something but I don’t see the Mets doing anything so far to suggest they are not taking a conservative approach. I mean he is apparently just doing as much as his rehab allows for and nothing more.
What more do you think should be done? Tell him to simply not pitch?
Even after today’s session the Mets said they now will wait to see how his arm responds the next day or two and proceed from there. Sounds like they are being as cautious as they can while he works his way back from his surgery.
“It would be better for him to continue rehabbing his arm and then come back fully healthy in 2012.”
Truth be told, Johan’s progress to date has far exceeded my own expectations. But bringing him back this year, for something more than a late season cameo shot, is probably out of the question. Johan’s future with the Mets starts in 2012 and it’s still doubtful he’ll ever be more than an impersonation of the his original self. He was the best pitcher in baseball.
robably a moot point anyway.
if this is essentially the beginning of his ST, and knowing they are going to be ultra conservative, at best you are looking at Early September.
So, if it is a few late season starts (limited PC and innings, and appropriate for where he is in his rehab (essentially a proof of concept) then sure, let him do it.
But not coming in in pressure packed games (as it would be if the mets were fighting for a playoff spot) and trying to do too much.
Part of rehabbing is actually “pitching.”
I think he should pitch a couple of games in September, just to get back out there, there will be no pressure at that point, and playing in a major league game before going to the off season is probably a good thing.
Why pitch meaningless games for a sub 500 team in the majors when you can rehab in the high minors and work out the kinks? This is our franchise guy-let’s not blow it.