This is What Counts for Good News in Queens

You know your team is struggling when the best news of the week is that your ailing ace is still out for half the season as opposed to the all of it.

Contrary to a report by North Jersey's The Record that pitcher Johan Santana was behind on his rehab and could miss the whole season, the Mets sidelined southpaw came out today and said he was, in fact, right on schedule, and is still likely to be available in July.

An exasperated Johan commented, "How can I have a setback at this point, where I'm just beginning to throw?" Stranger things have happened. At least there were no golf clubs around (am I right, Doc Gooden?).

In the past 7 days, the Amazin's went 4-6 in Spring Training (meaningless), Carlos Beltran was sidelined once again, and Oliver Perez continued to exist. This is the best news I've heard all week. In a week in which things sucked, this news sucks less. Which makes it good news. Get well soon, Johan. Maybe when you come back in July we'll still be in striking distance.

MM