Santos back on mound for M’s but may not be ready for season opener

Newly acquired Seattle Mariners reliever Gregory Santos threw a light bullpen session Friday, his first since experiencing right lat soreness after throwing off a mound at the the start of spring training three weeks ago.

Jerry Dipoto, the team’s president of baseball operations, has indicated that Santos won’t be ready for opening day in three weeks but should pitch in April. Santos had been playing catch the past week.

The Mariners got the hard-throwing 24year-old Dominican from the White Sox in a trade at the beginning of February. Santos had a 3.39 ERA with five saves in 60 appearances last year in his rookie season with Chicago.