Apr
1
2012

Mets Make It Official, Johan Santana Gets Opening Day Start

An article by Hojo's Mojo

According to the New York Mets this morning, Johan Santana has been named the Opening Day starter by manager Terry Collins.

Santana will be followed by R.A. Dickey, Jon Niese, Mike Pelfrey, and Dillon Gee in the rotation.

Our ace is back, feeling good, and had the best spring performance among all the other starters. He has not pitched in a major league game since undergoing surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder in September of 2010. But he has certainly shown himself to be up for the task.

The deed is done…

Original Post 3/31

Johan Santana successfully completed his simulated game this morning at Digital Domain Park. The Mets ace threw some simulated innings off one of the bullpen mounds and felt good afterward.

“Today I had a good day,” Santana said. “I warmed up. Everything was good. Then I did a couple of ups and downs [simulating innings] with my bullpen. And I feel great.”

According to Adam Rubin, who was on hand, all signs suggest he will be ready for the Opening Day start opposite Atlanta’s Tommy Hanson on Thursday at Citi Field, although the Mets will wait until at least Sunday to make a formal announcement.

I’m looking forward to see him get that start and mowing down the Braves. I hope we score some runs for him.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

13 Comments + Add Comment

Matt March 31, 2012 at 3:06 pm

Any reason why starting him opening day is even a question at this point? He appears healthy and he’s pitched the best of the starters. Hmmmmm, opening day in Atlanta…start Johan or one of the other 4 bums on the staff…tough one.
- srt March 31, 2012 at 3:31 pm
  
  I can only assume they kept waiting for that other shoe to drop with Santana.
  
  But so far, so good.
FL Met Fan Rich March 31, 2012 at 5:09 pm

I think the weather will be a fa tor. He is going from 80 to 50 degree temps.

Is it really that big a deal if he is the opening day starter or not.

Just hope this team can turn on the switch, because it doesn’t seem like we can beat anybody but the Astros down in FL.
- Matt March 31, 2012 at 8:48 pm
  
  The schedule makers are complete idiots…considering it is the first week of April, why would they have the Mets and Braves open the season in NY and not in Atlanta? Every year they do this stuff.
Joey D. April 1, 2012 at 12:58 am

What was the reason why Johann throw a simulated game instead of getting a few extra innings against real hitting? Does Terry Collins plan to use him for an inning or so before the home opener?
- Deebo April 1, 2012 at 8:17 am
  
  IMHO they don’t want to jinx him starting on Thurs and want to give that shoulder some xtra rest
- srt April 1, 2012 at 9:03 am
  
  I’m assuming for the same reason Schwinden started the other day instead of Dickey – who pitched that day in a minor league game. They’re trying to limit over exposure now against the NL east teams we’re playing the first couple of series.
  - Mr North Jersey April 1, 2012 at 11:11 am
    
    It was to minimize the risk of a freak injury in a minor-league game.
    
    “You don’t have to back up bases in those sim games,”
    Collins said.
    
    http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2012/03/for_mets_johan_santana_opening.html
FL Met Fan Rich April 1, 2012 at 8:35 am

I dont think that he is going to be the opening day starter! Maybe they are going to keep him here for extended spring training until the weather gets a little better in N.Y.
srt April 1, 2012 at 9:08 am

It’s official.
Santana, Dickey, Niese, Pelfrey, Gee.
Mr North Jersey April 1, 2012 at 11:13 am

Good to see how well Santana’s Spring Training went and that he made the rotation and start Opening Day. For me it is the best story from this Mets Spring Training.
Brian April 1, 2012 at 11:38 am

Maybe this is the start of something big for the Mets? You never know! Lets go Mets!!!
Clayton Collier April 1, 2012 at 4:15 pm

Pelf deserves 5th starter status, not Gee

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