Sporting News staff reports
When asked by reporters to name the top starting pitcher in the NL East, Mets lefthander Johan Santana picked … himself, according to the New York Daily News.
Santana went 13-9 with a 3.13 ERA last season but had season-ending elbow surgery in early September.
Santana, 31, has been throwing off a mound since last month, though he won’t pitch in a Grapefruit League until the second week of action.
"I’m able to now throw my fastball with no problems and throw my breaking ball and my changeup without feeling that sharp pain in the back of my elbow now," Santana told the Daily News. "I’ll be able to throw all of my pitches pain-free. That’s a big plus for me."
Sporting News staff reports
When asked by reporters to name the top starting pitcher in the NL East, Mets lefthander Johan Santana picked … himself, according to the New York Daily News.
Santana went 13-9 with a 3.13 ERA last season but had season-ending elbow surgery in early September.
Santana, 31, has been throwing off a mound since last month, though he won’t pitch in a Grapefruit League until the second week of action.
"I’m able to now throw my fastball with no problems and throw my breaking ball and my changeup without feeling that sharp pain in the back of my elbow now," Santana told the Daily News. "I’ll be able to throw all of my pitches pain-free. That’s a big plus for me."