PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets ace Johan Santana doesn't see any reason why he won't be ready for opening day.

Santana, hindered last week by elbow tightness, threw 36 pitches in live batting practice Saturday before the Mets played an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals. It was the first time he'd faced hitters since knee surgery in October, and said everything went well.

"I pitched today with no problems in my elbow or my arm or anything, so I am fine, and at the same time I was working on my pitches and I was able to command it, so that's what you want to see," Santana said.

The left-hander threw mostly fastballs, but also worked in some off-speed pitches and made it difficult for hitters to get a bat on the ball. Only three pitches were put into play.

Santana took a break after the first 20 pitches to simulate the change in innings.

"For being my first time facing hitters, I think it was pretty good," Santana said. "Everything was there — breaking ball was there, my changeup was there, my arm speed, my legs are there. That's what you are looking for. You look for your legs to be there and to feel comfortable, and that's how I felt."

Pitching coach Dan Warthen liked what he saw, including the energy Santana showed while on the mound. Santana smiled throughout the session, even cracking jokes at times.

"I thought he pitched well," Warthen said. "He's showing progress. Every pitch came out of his hand really well. I thought he located the ball extremely well for the first time seeing hitters."

Warthen said last weekend that Santana might not throw batting practice until March 13, but the two-time Cy Young winner insisted his elbow was fine. Now, the club has moved up his ever-changing schedule and he could pitch in a game next week.

Warthen said last weekend that Santana might not throw batting practice until March 13, but the two-time Cy Young winner insisted his elbow was fine. Now, the club has moved up his ever-changing schedule and he could pitch in a game next week.

"We have been working out, getting everything in the right way, the right track, and I don't think there will be any problems," Santana said.

Santana had complained of tightness in his left elbow and was scratched from a start last Friday when he was supposed to pitch in a scrimmage against the Italian national team. After a three-day break, his condition improved enough for a return to work Sunday and he made further progress Wednesday, when he threw a strong 46-pitch side session.

"We'll go one step at a time," Santana said. "We will see how it is tomorrow and see what my next step will be. I felt pretty good, and we'll go from there."

Warthen did not detail future plans for Santana beyond a side session Monday.

"We'll find out each day," he said. "We will see how he feels tomorrow, check it out and see where we go from there."