More than 18 months since last appearing in a Major League game, Johan Santana threw 29 pitches in two innings against the Cardinals on Tuesday. He allowed one hit and one walk and threw 17 of his pitches for strikes. "God almighty, I don't know if we can have a bigger step forward today than that," manager Terry Collins said. The Mets are still proceeding with extreme caution. Santana will throw a routine bullpen session later this week, before his second Grapefruit League start on Sunday.