Last week it was made known starting pitcher Johan Santana was planning on returning to the MLB in 2015. The left-hander began his comeback on Tuesday and the New York Yankees might be interested in signing him.
Santana has made only 29 starts since the 2011 season because of various injuries. His most recent - a torn Achilles tendon - derailed his comeback attempt with the Baltimore Orioles last season. For the most part, shoulder injuries during his time with the New York Mets have kept him out of action for the past four seasons. His latest comeback attempt is currently underway.
The left-hander made his debut on Tuesday for Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League on Tuesday. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the veteran had a perfect two-inning outing after throwing just 18 pitches. His fastball hit 90 mph and his changeup appeared to be working. The Yankees and others were in attendance for his outing and now New York is interested in the possibility of signing him, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post.
This would be a good gamble for the Yankees, of course, if their entire rotation already wasn't hampered with injuries. C.C. Sabathia has a degenerative knee issue and is coming off season-ending surgery; Masahiro Tanaka's health after partially tearing his UCL is largely a mystery; Ivan Nova won't be back until the summer as he recovers from Tommy John surgery; and Michael Pineda has made only 13 starts in the past three seasons because of shoulder issues (among other injuries). Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Capuano appear to be the only ones heading into spring training without any health concerns.
Granted, if New York were to sign Santana, it would likely be a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. The last time the left-hander pitched in the MLB was in 2012 and he went 6-9 with a 4.85 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 21 starts with the New York Mets. He underwent shoulder surgery in April of 2013 and it was his second such procedure in 31 months, which has put his velocity and longevity into serious question.
Santana has logged 12 MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets, compiling a 139-78 record with a 3.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 360 games (284 starts). The two-time AL Cy Young winner would perhaps be a better option for a team without an already decimated starting rotation. It would be a much smarter decision if the Yankees pursued either James Shields or Max Scherzer and were able to sign them at a reasonable price.
