Johan Santana (shoulder) will throw another simulated game before making a rehab start. Santana suggested Sunday, after throwing a free and easy sim game, that he might be cleared to begin a rehab assignment by the middle of this week. But the Mets want to continue operating cautiously. "The next outing for Johan will be in a controlled setting in Port St. Lucie," GM Sandy Alderson said in an email to reporters.

Johan Santana (shoulder) may make his first minor league rehab start next Wednesday. Santana threw a three-inning simulated game Friday in Port St. Lucie. He's slated to throw a bullpen session for the Mets' major league staff prior to Sunday's game, after which a decision will be made about whether he is ready to begin a rehab assignment. Santana is working his way back from surgery last September to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. If all goes well, he could be with the Mets for the final month or so of the season.

Johan Santana (shoulder) remains unsure of his return date. "I was told by Dr. (David) Altchek this was going to take up to a year, so it's going to take me to September 14," Santana said (he had surgery last September 14). "If I come back sooner, that would be great. If not, we'll be fine. (Altchek) said there might be a possibility to come back within 10 months, but that was just a possibility. That was not a fact." With Santana hedging his bets on his return, you most definitely should, as well. He's not worth stashing in any format.

According to Mets GM Sandy Alderson, Johan Santana (shoulder) remains "active" in Port St. Lucie, FL, where he's begun a spring training routine. Santana has been throwing bullpen sessions is close to being able to throw to hitters. Though he could be back around mid-August, Alderson reiterated that he's not expecting a major contribution from the lefty this season. "He's feeling good," said Alderson. "I don't think so. Right now, we look at the importance of Johan pitching this season as it relates to next year. I don't think we could expect him to play any sort of meaningful role in a pennant race. We're more concerned about him pitching this season so we get past that question going into spring training next year."

Mets GM Sandy Alderson believes Johan Santana (shoulder) is very close to throwing to batters. Santana threw another bullpen session Saturday, strictly tossing fastballs and changeups, but batting practice sessions and breaking stuff are next up in his progression. As for a timetable on Santana's return, Alderson said: "There's no real precision here, as we've learned in a number of instances this season with respect to injuries. I think we're very encouraged that he's been throwing bullpens and has felt great immediately after, and days after. So I think we're going to reevaluate where he is over the next several days to try to get something more definitive, but it's very encouraging with Johan." The left-hander might be ready for the majors in mid-August.

Johan Santana (shoulder) threw another bullpen session Saturday. Santana is still throwing strictly fastballs and changeups, and has not yet begun trying his breaking stuff. If all goes well this weekend, he could begin a simulated spring training routine beginning Monday. The left-hander might be ready for the majors in mid-August.

Johan Santana (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Thursday. Santana's session Monday went very well, so the Mets are hoping he can keep moving the right direction. He'll continue throwing from a mound for another couple weeks before he's ready to appear in rehab games.

Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen was encouraged by Johan Santana's Monday bullpen session. "He threw very well," said Warthen. "His velocity was better than last time. Everything is very encouraging right now." Santana will continue similar workouts for the next couple of weeks until he is cleared to begin making appearances in minor league games. The southpaw shouldn't be counted on until mid-August.

Johan Santana (shoulder) will throw from a mound again in the coming days, and if that goes well, he'll be cleared to begin a routine as if he were starting spring training. Once he's cleared for the "spring training routine," Santana will need 5-6 weeks before he's ready to rejoin the Mets rotation, which would put him on pace for a mid-August return if all goes well. Of course, he's fallen behind a couple timetables already, so don't etch this one in stone just yet. Santana hasn't appeared in a big league game since early September of last season.

Johan Santana (shoulder) threw off a mound Wednesday without incident. It was his first time throwing off a mound since feeling some discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder nearly one month ago. The Mets are letting Santana dictate his progress, but one more setback and we can probably write him off for 2011.