Mets P Johan Santana is on track for Spring Training

Even without knowing what (if any) team would be interested in his services for 2014, current Mets pitcher Johan Santana has reportedly begun throwing in an effort to be ready by 2014 Spring Training.

According to a published report from Jorge Castillo of the Newark Star-Ledger, a return by Santana to the Mets isn’t “out of the question”, and that ray of light could be what Santana needs to in order to begin rehabbing. Castillo also reports that Santana’s agent, Chris Leible, stated that the left-hander has been throwing since last week.

At his apex, there was virtually no one better on the mound than Johan Santana. Many Mets fans point to his no-hitter (the first in Mets history) as the tipping point for his shoulder issues, but there was likely damage well before that for the veteran lefty. However, his 4.85 ERA during the 2012 season doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for prospective employers, and his lengthening injury history won’t easy any minds, either.

If healthy, Santana could be a middle-of-the-rotation option for the Mets (who could use a veteran presence, especially in the wake of the loss of Matt Harvey), or a pure flyer for any numbers of contending MLB teams. His strikeout rate rebounded considerably in 2012 before the injury (8.54 K/9), and if he can rediscover his “stuff”, someone will get a big-time value in the 34-year-old former Cy Young winner.