Former Twins lefty Johan Santana’s career looked like it was in serious jeopardy when he tore his left Achilles tendon last June while attempting to make a return to Major League Baseball.
According to ESPN, Santana is trying again. He is attempting a comeback by playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, and hopes for a return to the big leagues in 2015.
Shoulder injuries have limited Santana, 35, to 21 appearances since 2010, but at one time he was one of the most dominant starters in baseball. Over 12 seasons with the Twins and New York Mets, Santana posted a career record of 139-78.
He was reportedly on the verge of joining the Baltimore Orioles roster last June when he tore his Achilles during an extended spring start throwing his future into jeopardy.
“Johan wants to go out on his own terms, his agent Peter Greenberg told ESPN. “He doesn’t want to go out because an injury put him out. He’s worked very hard and kept himself in shape, and he’s never thought about retiring.”
Santana is scheduled to make his Venezuelan winter ball debut for Magallanes against Tigres de Aragua on Tuesday.
johan santana was at 87-89 mph in a successful bp session today. tuesday's game for magallanes is a go.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2015
History would show the Twins have been very open to reunions with some of their departed veterans and they were in discussions with Santana a year ago, before he signed with Baltimore. It sounds like they could be interested again.
@ColinNelson79 Scouting Johan in winterball.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) January 9, 2015
But as the blog Puckett’s Pond points out, the Twins seem to have a rotation overflowing with options right now. If Santana were to beat out guys like Tommy Milone, Alex Meyer or even Trevor May, the Twins may be more concerned about the future of those prospects than they are letting on.
Still for the fans, Santana attempting one final comeback in a Twins uniform could be intriguing. He was a fan favorite in Minnesota and won the Cy Young Award twice (2004, 2006) while pitching with the Twins.
Stay tuned!
