Santana weathering the elbow issue

The doom and gloom surrounding Johan Santana suddenly lifted today after a throwing session that removed doubt that a foggy left elbow problem might roll him into a doctor's office. He won't pitch in the World Baseball Classic due to the concern, but he also won't be worried about quite as much.

No flight to New York, no MRI, no flight back and -- the Mets fervently hope -- no more issues with his left elbow. Team Venezuela can't have Santana; the Classic won't pay the insurance premium. But the doctors can't have him either. Santana saw to that after some long-toss in the outfield and 31 pitches thrown off a practice mound Sunday morning convinced him he could move forward without tightness around his triceps tendon and risk.

That's excellent for the Mets and fantasy owners. I'm still going with Tim Lincecum as the ace of all aces until Santana is certainly back pitching in games. Even then Lincecum might be the best pitcher in baseball. CC Sabathia is my third pick this year.