New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana threw off a mound Sunday for the first time since his August shutdown.
The 20-pitch session to bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello was uneventful.
The Mets are eyeing “the first couple of days of March” for Santana’s first Grapefruit League action of spring training, pitching coach Dan Warthen said.
Santana needs to repeat Sunday’s activity, then throwing batting practice before advancing to an exhibition game.
Santana, 33, missed the entire 2011 season rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his pitching shoulder. He returned last season to have a solid first half, highlighted by tossing the first no-hitter in Mets history on June 1.
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In the next 10 starts, from the no-hitter until he was shut down for the season with lower-back inflammation, Santana had an 8.27 ERA.
He allowed six or more earned runs in each of his final five starts, beginning with a game against the Chicago Cubs in which Reed Johnson stepped on Santana’s right ankle while the pitcher covered first base.