Johan Santana makes first start of comeback attempt

Veteran pitcher Johan Santana on Tuesday made his first start since tearing his Achilles tendon in June. 

Santana threw two perfect innings for the Navegantes del Magallanes, a Venezuelan winter league team. Three of the batters Santana faced played in the majors last season: Yangervis Solarte, Josmil Pinto and Avisail Garcia. 

Santana, who has not pitched in the majors since 2012, hopes to sign with an MLB team before the start of spring training. He signed with the Orioles last season but tore his Achilles tendon while pitching in extended spring training.

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Santana won two Cy Young Awards with the Minnesota Twins in 2004 and 2006. In 2008 he was traded to the Mets and signed a six-year, $137.5 million contract. He missed the 2011 season while recovering from surgery on his throwing shoulder. He returned in 2012 and threw the only no-hitter in Mets history on June 1 before a back injury ended his season. 

In 2013, Santana re-injured the same shoulder that was surgically repaired in 2011. He missed the entire season.

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- Dan Gartland