The Baltimore Orioles were anticipating the return of Johan Santana this season, but the veteran pitcher will not make a comeback after all this season.
Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette revealed that Santana will not return this season after sustaining a torn Achilles tendon during his extended spring training.
Duquette said that Santana was struck by a line drive before stumbling when he went after the ball. The two-time Cy Young Award winner reportedly experienced severe pain, and an MRI confirmed the damage.
"The tendon is severed, and it will in effect end his season," Duquette said via ESPN. "I know the rehab is significant for these tendon injuries. We'll have to get with him and speak to him. But he won't be able to pitch for the Orioles this season."
The 35-year-old left hander has not pitched in the major league since 2012 when he was still with the New York Mets. The four-time All-Star was sidelined for the rest of the 2013 season after undergoing his second major shoulder surgery.
Santana, who signed a minor league contract with the Orioles earlier this year, looked poise to make his much awaited return when the Orioles put him on the disabled list, but the frustrating setback derailed his comeback plan this season.
"He was pitching well," Duquette said of Santana. "he last time out he had his velocity and he was able to back-door his slider. I think he had eight strikeouts and no walks, so he was right on schedule. After (Friday), he was going to come up and join the major league team, and we were going to continue the rehab in (Double-A) Bowie."
Duquette expressed frustration over the development, saying that Santana, who holds a career 139-78 record with a 3.20 ERA, was tipped to play a big role for the team this season - as a locker room presence and solid pitching option.
"I was looking at it like a midseason acquisition or trade. We invested in the rehab and we invested in the salary, and of course we wouldn't have had to trade a player. Unfortunately it didn't work. Sometimes you can plan and do things right, and they just don't work out," Duquette said.
