Johan Santana picked up his first victory of the season on Saturday, limiting the Diamonbacks to three runs on nine hits over seven innings of work. Santana struck out five and walked one in the game. He's been extremely impressive in the early part of the season, with a 2.61 ERA and 34/12 strikeout to walk ratio through his first 31 innings. While he doesn't have quite the velocity that he did in his hey day, he still owns that devastating changeup and his displayed impeccable control thus far. He'll look to continue his resurgence when he squares off against the Marlins in Miami next week.

Johan Santana limited the Rockies to just two hits in six innings of Sunday's 6-5, 11-inning win at Coors Field. Santana struck out five and walked three in his second straight quality start. Through five outings and 24 innings, Santana has pitched about as well as could have been reasonably expected after he missed all of 2011, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 29/11 K/BB ratio. He'll get the Diamondbacks at home next weekend.

Johan Santana whiffed 11 Marlins hitters in a no-decision Tuesday, allowing just three hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings in the 2-1 win. It's quite a rebound start after he lasted just 1 1/3 frames his last time out. Santana's velocity is still sitting in the high-80s, but he's had no trouble getting swings and misses thus far, having punched out 24 batters over 18 innings. The veteran left-hander will take a 3.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP into this weekend's start in Colorado.

Johan Santana pitched very poorly on Tuesday allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits in just 1 1/3 innings against the Braves. Santana also walked one and didn't strike out a batter. After two very strong starts to begin the season, he took a giant step backwards in this one. He's still been better than advertised in his return from his shoulder injury and subsequent missed season, but hiccups like this are to be expected along the way. He'll look to get back on track when he takes on the Giants next week.

Johan Santana allowed just one run on five hits over five-plus innings in a loss to the Nationals on Tuesday. Santana surprisingly batted for himself in the bottom of the fifth inning, only to be pulled after walking the first batter in the top of the sixth. He threw 99 pitches in all while striking out eight, walking three and averaging around 88 mph on his fastball. The veteran southpaw has lasted only five innings in back-to-back starts, but he has allowed just one run while striking out 13 and walking five. His early exits may not lead to many wins, but he should be owned in all formats as long as he's healthy.

The Mets have named Johan Santana their Opening Day starter. As expected. The Mets have been pleased with Santana's work this spring -- he has a 3.44 ERA and 13/7 K/BB ratio over 18 1/3 innings -- and, more importantly, the lefty feels healthy, so he's an obvious choice. His velocity is down from previous levels, but he has enough guile to have success with lesser stuff.

Johan Santana (shoulder) reported no issues in Saturday's bullpen session, and is expected to be formally named the Opening Day starter. The Mets are cautiously optimistic Santana will be able to start Thursday's opener, but acknowledged that they won't risk putting him out there if he's feeling any discomfort. ''He's healthy,'' manager Terry Collins said. ''His arm felt good. His body recuperated from the other day. We're going to sit down with a number of people involved and make something official tomorrow." Santana, 33, will be 19 months removed from shoulder surgery next month.

Johan Santana (shoulder) will not make another start during the Grapefruit League schedule. The Mets intend for Santana to start Opening Day, but they have mapped out an alternative plan to get him ready. The current plan calls for him to throw 40-50 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday and a full bullpen session next Monday before getting the ball in the season opener next Thursday against the Braves. Santana's highest pitch count this spring was 88, so it's unlikely he'll be able to go deep into his first start.

Johan Santana pitched five innings of two-run ball in the Mets' 6-3 win over the Cardinals on Monday. Santana's velocity was down, especially early, but he rebounded from a two-run first to put together a nice outing, ending the day with five strikeouts. Expectations for Santana should still be fairly mild, but it looks like he'll be worth using in mixed leagues initially.

Johan Santana (shoulder) is slated to throw 80 pitches in his next spring start Wednesday against the Cardinals. This is just the latest hurdle to cross for Santana, who hasn't appeared in a regular season game since undergoing major shoulder surgery in September of 2010. The 33-year-old southpaw has a 4.91 ERA and 2/4 K/BB ratio over 7 1/3 innings during Grapefruit League action, so the results haven't quite been there, but the important part is that he hasn't experienced any setbacks. As of now, he appears likely to start for the Metropolitans on Opening Day.