Johan Santana plans to pitch winter ball, attempt comeback in 2017

Veteran left-hander Johan Santana will pitch this winter in Venezuela as part of his attempt to land a contract for the 2017 season, a source told SB Nation this afternoon. Santana has not appeared in the majors since 2012.

Santana, who turns 38 in March, has dealt with a variety of injuries since last appearing with the Mets in 2012. He signed minor-league deals with the Orioles (2014) and Blue Jays (2015) in back-to-back seasons, but never made a professional appearance due to setbacks in his recovery.

At last check, Santana was trying to make a comeback for the 2016 season, but nothing ever materialized. With another full year of healing under his belt, the southpaw will once again try to make it back to the majors.

Santana is a veteran of 12 major-league seasons with the Twins (2000-07) and Mets (2008-12), and is a 2-time Cy Young Award winner. He has been named an All-Star on four occasions and owns a career 139-78 record and 3.20 ERA in 360 major-league appearances.