PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets ace Johan Santana says that his opening day start could be in jeopardy as he continues to battle tightness in his elbow.
“We have 162 games,” Santana said Saturday. “What we have to accomplish takes 162 games. Everything starts April 6, if it’s going to be me or somebody else. It’s tough to say right now.”
Santana met with Mets general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel for about 40 minutes Saturday morning to discuss a plan of action for his ailing elbow.
The left-hander said doctors have told him an irritated triceps tendon is causing the discomfort in his throwing elbow.
The Mets plan to have him throw a light bullpen session today to see how he responds, even though he said Saturday he still has tightness in the elbow.
If all goes well with today’s session, Santana said he would need another two or three batting practice sessions with two days off in between before making his first Grapefruit League start.
That means the two-time Cy Young Award winner isn’t likely to pitch in a game until at least the second week of March.
If Santana throws today and still feels discomfort in the elbow, the Mets could opt to send him to New York for further tests.
Santana, who had arthroscopic surgery Oct. 1 on torn cartilage in his left knee, didn’t think the tightness in his elbow was related to rushing back from the knee surgery too soon, but rather from overuse early in camp.
“I’ve been throwing bullpens here every other day, and I don’t think I’ve ever done that in the past,” Santana said.
Looper sidelined.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Braden Looper was scratched from his start against the Los Angeles Angels because of a tight oblique muscle.
Looper, who was making his only start before participating in the World Baseball Classic, was warming up in the bullpen when the muscle tightened.
Looper was 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA in 33 starts last season.
He’s scheduled to leave the Brewers’ camp today along with left fielder Ryan Braun to join Team USA in Florida.
The 10-year veteran has been durable throughout his career, missing only 12 games in 2007 with a shoulder injury and three others in 2002 for personal reasons.
Royals sign pitcher Cruz.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore took another step toward refurbishing the Kansas City bullpen, agreeing to a two-year contract with right-hander Juan Cruz that includes an option for 2011.
Cruz was 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 57 relief appearances last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He struck out 71 in 51 2/3 innings, while allowing 34 hits and walking 31. He averaged 12.37 strikeouts per nine innings, which topped National League relievers.
Soreness shelves Indians’ Miller.
Cleveland Indians pitcher Adam Miller is sidelined with soreness in the same right-hand finger that required surgery last season.
Miller, one of Cleveland’s top prospects and a candidate to earn a spot in the bullpen, had surgery on the middle finger on his right hand to repair a tendon in May.
Padres manager Black’s wrist swollen.
San Diego Padres manager Bud Black made it onto the unofficial injury report, a day after getting hit on the right wrist when catcher Eliezer Alfonzo let go of his bat in a spring training game.
“I got smoked,” said Black, whose wrist was swollen. “A little sore today. No further tests necessary.”
Black crossed his arms in front of his face to protect himself during the eighth inning of Friday’s exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians in Peoria, Ariz.
