"Johan Santana exited the stage still labeled as an ace. A year removed from surgery to repair his left shoulder, a surgery that has kept him from a major-league mound all season, Mets manager Terry Collins still considers him as such.

For the Mets, the next two months are geared toward a more modest goal: allowing Santana to arrive in Port St. Lucie next February as a viable member of the rotation.

"I'm expecting to be just normal," Santana said today after completing a 30-pitch bullpen session to prepare for his third minor-league rehab appearance this season on Friday. "That's what we're looking for.""