New York Mets starter Johan Santana threw two encouraging innings during his spring training debut in a Grapefruit League against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday after missing the entire 2011 season.
Santana allowed just one hit and one walk on 29 pitches over two innings, in his first appearance this year after undergoing left shoulder surgery in 2010 to repair a torn anterior capsule. After walking his first batter on five pitches, Santana settled down, surrendering only a two-out single to Mark Hamilton in the second inning.
According to ESPN's Adam Rubin, Santana had one pitched clocked at 90 MPH but was normally closer to 87 or 88.
"Very good," said one scout in attendance, regarding Santana's performance. "He looked a bit amped up in the first inning, understandably so. He threw some excellent changeups in the second. I'd be very encouraged. Velocity was 87-90 mph."
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