Major League Baseball

Santana says rehab is on 'right track'

Published Mar. 13, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana said Sunday he was taking his return to baseball slow, but denied moving a step backward in his rehab.

The injured Mets ace refuted a report Sunday indicating his throwing program might be shut down as he deals with soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder.

"We're on the right track and where we're supposed to be," Santana said. "Whoever says I'm not ready is lying."

Santana, who played catch on Friday and Saturday, was scheduled for two days of rest before resuming his throwing Tuesday and Wednesday. Santana said he was a step forward since the start of spring training, but also had no prediction on when he might begin throwing off the mound.

GM Sandy Alderson outlined a blueprint at the beginning of camp that pointed to Santana making minor league rehab appearances in May and joining the Mets by early July.

"We are keeping track of everything and every time I throw, after I'm done working, I'm fine," said Santana, who turned 32 on Sunday. "It's just that it takes time. I still have to go slow, because whatever you want to do, regardless, your arm is going to tell you something else. That's why this process is real slow."

His comments came after the Bergen Record quoted an unnamed Mets source as saying Santana was likely to miss the entire 2011 season.

The source said the pitcher was not progressing after returning to light throwing, with the organization privately believing he would be "lucky" to pitch at all this year.

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