"Soon after completing a long-toss session at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., ace Johan Santana was willing to say that his surgically repaired left shoulder "feels fine. Everything is fine." But he declined to predict whether he would throw a bullpen session during the team's first scheduled spring training workout next month — let alone make a prediction about his presence as the team's Opening Day starter.

"It's going to be tough for me to guess," Santana said during a conference call with reporters this afternoon. "Because I don't know how I'm going to feel in two months."

Three weeks ago, Santana began his offseason throwing program — earlier than ever, he explained. He plans to throw four times a week, and is long-tossing from 110 feet. For the Mets, all of this is good to hear, and they expect him to arrive ready for work when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 20. "