Mets manager Terry Collins disputes a report that he said Johan Santana would be his Opening Day starter. "I have said from the beginning he is on schedule to start Opening Day. I never said he was going to pitch,'' Collins said. ''Right now, as we get through spring training, we may have to make adjustments.'' Collins confirmed Santana will not begin the year on the disabled list. The Mets' current discussion is whether he'll appear in the first game of the regular season.

Mets manager Terry Collins believes there's ''no doubt'' Johan Santana (shoulder) will be ready to pitch the season opener. Santana allowed just an unearned run over 2 2/3 innings in his start Sunday against the Marlins. "I truly believe we're going to do this right,'' Collins said. ''Johan Santana will be on the team on Opening Day.'' Santana hasn't reported any issues with his surgically-repaired shoulder thus far. He struck out two batters and got five groundouts today.

Johan Santana (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday. Santana hasn't reported any issues with his surgically-repaired shoulder since tossing two scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday. His next test will come Sunday against the Marlins.

Johan Santana (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday. Santana threw two scoreless innings Tuesday in his Grapefruit League debut, but the real test will be to see how his surgically-repaired shoulder responds to the increased workload. So far, so good in that regard.

Johan Santana (shoulder) plans to either throw a bullpen session or long-toss on Thursday. Santana feels good after throwing two scoreless innings during his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday, but he's also well aware that he has a long way to go. "I have to do it consistently," said Santana. "That's the test."

Johan Santana topped out at 92 mph and averaged 90 mph on the Mets' gun Wednesday during his Grapefruit League debut. Incredible if true, but the stadium gun had him topping out at 90 mph and hitting the high-80s consistently. Either way, it's still early in the spring and Santana has enough intelligence and guile to make it work, especially if he has his vintage changeup working. It will be interesting to see how his surgically-repaired shoulder responds to the routine, but Santana could end up being a fantasy sleeper.

Johan Santana impressed in his spring debut, pitching two scoreless innings in the Mets' 8-6 win over the Cardinals. Santana touched 90 mph with his fastball today and was in the high-80s consistently, which rates as a very pleasant surprise. He said afterwards that he felt good, so while we don't want to get too excited yet, his stock is already up a little bit.

Johan Santana (shoulder) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Santana continues to show progress in his rehab and remains on track to start Tuesday's game against the Cardinals. He threw live batting practice on Thursday for the first time this spring.

Johan Santana (shoulder) threw to hitters Thursday for the first time this spring. Santana threw 22 pitches to Jason Bay, David Wright, Ike Davis and non-roster invitee Vinny Rottino. The southpaw hasn't experienced any setbacks with his surgically-repaired shoulder thus far and is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Johan Santana (shoulder) threw 72 pitches from the mound without feeling any pain or discomfort on Sunday. Santana will throw long toss on Wednesday and live batting practice on Friday, assuming everything goes as planned. If both workouts go well, Santana is expected to pitch on March 6 against the Cardinals. At this point, he seems like a decent bet to start on Opening Day.