"While the Mets began the final paces of their 2011 season, the man who could be the most important cog for 2012 took another step tonight toward returning to the mound in Queens.

Johan Santana, who has missed the entire season to this point after surgery on his left shoulder, pitched three solid innings for the Savannah Sand Gnats — the team's Class A affiliate. It's the second straight successful stint for the team's designated ace, after he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session earlier in the week in Miami while the team played the Marlins.

Using just 39 pitches against the Augusta Greenjackets, Santana allowed two hits and one unearned run. He walked one batter and struck out one, and 27 of his 39 pitches were strikes.

Now comes the most important part: How Santana feels when he wakes up Saturday morning."