Santana has positive thoughts about return

MIAMI -- Johan Santana's long road back from shoulder surgery will reach a significant mile marker this morning when the two-time Cy Young winner has a bullpen session at Sun Life Stadium.

That's the plan, anyway. With Santana the only Met on "his own program," according to manager Terry Collins, the team doesn't like to make too many predictions. Neither does Santana, for that matter, but he did say Sunday's test could clear the way for a minor-league start later in the week.

"On Monday, I think we'll have a better idea of what it's going to be," said Santana, who joined the Mets before Saturday's game. "If it's going to be another light or is it going to be a game somewhere. We don't know. [Sunday] is a big day for me. After that bullpen, I will see what they have to say."

Given his progress, the Mets expect Santana to make a start in the majors at some point this season. Collins believes that would be a huge help as both Santana and the Mets look ahead to next season.

"I told him that," the manager said. "I think it would be very, very important for him to get some outings this year so that when he comes into next spring, the doubt's gone, the questions of how he's going to feel, what's his health going to be like. He agreed. If he comes back and pitches the last two weeks of September and has a couple games and comes out with a positive frame of mind, I think that's a big step toward 2012."

Santana is earning $22.5 million this season and is due another guaranteed $55 million through 2013. So the bottom line for him is staying healthy, and coming back from shoulder surgery can be a very frustrating experience. Mark Prior and Chien-Ming Wang had operations similar to the one Santana had, and they have yet to regain their pre-surgery form. Prior has not pitched in the majors since 2007, Wang since 2009.

Santana was encouraged by Friday's three-inning simulated game against Class A hitters in Port St. Lucie. As he builds arm strength and increases velocity, Santana insists that the feel for his pitches already is there.

"I want to pitch right now -- I want to be here," Santana said. "But the reality is that you can't. This is a long process and we're taking everything very careful. If it was my choice, I'd be here right now. I'm working my way back and I hope to be back sometime soon before the season ends."

Asked if at least a couple of major-league starts would be a good springboard for 2012, he shrugged.

"Building toward the future is what we want," Santana said. "I'm building my way back and I hope to be back sometime this season. But if it doesn't happen, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world. I think we are here on the same page, and looking toward the future, we'll be in good shape."