Pitching for the first time since he tore an Achilles tendon last June, Johan Santana retired six straight batters on Tuesday night in the Venezuelan Winter League.

The left-hander threw 17 pitches and didn't have any strikeouts in the two-inning outing.

Santana has made just 21 Major League appearances in the last four seasons due to a pair of shoulder operations and the foot injury.

The two-time Cy Young winner, who turns 36 in March, hopes to sign with a big league organization.