News
03/06/09 11:58 AM ET
Santana's schedule moved up
Earlier batting-practice session could lead to Opening Day start
By Marty Noble / MLB.com
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Johan Santana's work schedule has been moved up rather dramatically, making the chances of his starting on Opening Day significantly better.
Santana is to throw batting practice on Saturday before the Mets' game against the Nationals at Tradition Field.
The original plan was for him to throw three bullpen sessions before his first batting-practice outing. He threw one bullpen session, so now he should be at least six days ahead of his original schedule, by which he would not have made a start in an exhibition game until March 18, leaving merely 18 days between that game and the Mets' first game, against the Reds in Cincinnati on April 6.
Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
