PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Johan Santana will make his Grapefruit League debut for the New York Mets on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The left-hander said he was excited, and will focus on fine-tuning mechanics.
“It will be fun for everybody,” Santana said Thursday at the Mets’ spring training facility. “I’m just going to concentrate on what I’m doing on the mound. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”
The Mets acquired the much ballyhooed left-handed pitcher for outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra and Philip Humber.
Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, went 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA in 219 innings last season. He had 235 strikeouts and could be the innings-eating ace the Mets desperately lacked last season.
Since the trade did not touch the club at the major league level, many suspect Santana could be the missing piece toward a Mets trip to the World Series.
The fan expectations are not a concern for Santana, who has embraced the concept that the Mets should make the postseason.
“I think it’s good,” Santana said. “That’s what they wanted. Hopefully, we meet their expectations and that’s what we’re here for. They’re happy, we’re happy. We can’t ask for anything more.”
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