Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana's bid to return to the major leagues has been sidetracked by a torn Achilles tendon he suffered during Friday's extended spring training outing with the Baltimore Orioles.
Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette confirmed the injury prior to the team's game against the Oakland Athletics.
Santana, attempting to come back from the second major shoulder surgery of his career, sustained the tear while reaching to pick up a line drive that had struck him.
The Orioles had been hopeful that the 35-year-old, who last pitched in the big leagues on Aug. 17, 2012, could be able to contribute by mid-June.
Santana missed all of last season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder while then with the New York Mets. He signed a minor league contract with Baltimore in early March.
The veteran lefty was also sidelined for the entire 2011 campaign with shoulder problems that required surgery. Santana returned to make 21 starts with the Mets the following season.
Santana was named the AL's top hurler after going 20-6 with a league-best 2.61 ERA while a member of the Minnesota Twins in 2004. He claimed another Cy Young two years later following a 19-6 season in which he again topped the AL in ERA, then won the National League ERA title with the Mets in 2008.
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