Santana throws 25-pitch warm-up session

LOS ANGELES -- Johan Santana continued to make progress Monday with a bullpen session that should lead to another Thursday, then a more regular "spring-training" regimen in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Santana threw a 25-pitch warm-up, just as he would before a start, then 20 pitches, some with David Wright standing in the batter's box. Pitching coach Dan Warthen relayed a text from rehab coordinator Randy Niemann that said Santana looked stronger with better velocity and "felt great" afterward.

Santana is scheduled to throw again Thursday, and if that goes well, he could wind up on a schedule that has him rejoin the Mets in roughly six weeks.

"We're approaching that transition point," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "But Johan himself and how he responds to these sessions will dictate how quickly everything progresses."

Wright takes cautious approach

The Mets apparently were a little optimistic in thinking that Wright could be playing in rehab games this week. Wright, who has been on the DL since May 16 with a fractured back, still is not running and the Mets want to make sure he is not rushed.

"It might be a little too soon," Terry Collins said of potential games for Wright this week. "Might be a little premature on that."

Alderson said he spoke with Wright Monday. "He feels like he's making good progress," Alderson said. "It's all about increasing the level of exercise and activity."

Extra bases

Ike Davis, at home in Arizona, is doing "running-type" activities, according to Collins, but nothing that forces him to put impact on the left ankle, which has a bone bruise. Alderson did say that Davis was doing better now that he's been freed from the protective boot, which had constricted that area, and will try to run next week . . . Josh Thole, whose pregnant wife, Kathryn, is due soon, could wind up on paternity leave this week. He's hoping it waits for the All-Star break.