"Johan Santana remains hopeful of pitching for the Mets this season, and Thursday night he gets a chance to progress toward that goal.

The team announced that its ace will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets.

Santana, who underwent major shoulder surgery on Sept. 14, is slated throw a maximum of 45 pitches in his first game action of 2011.

Because the beginning of a minor-league rehab assignment begins a 30-day clock to activation, Santana should - if he does not experience a setback, of course - rejoin the Mets in late August. The Mets can, with Santana's permission, extend the assignment beyond 30 days."