Mets manager: Johan Santana on pitch count of about 90 for return

Manager Terry Collins said he expects Johan Santana to throw about 90 pitches Saturday night against the Braves at Citi Field in his first big-league start since July 20.

Santana threw 38 pitches in a rehab start Sunday for Brooklyn, then threw on the side to get up to 90.

Collins said he hopes Santana will come to spring training next year as less of a question mark than he did this year coming off serious shoulder surgery. Santana is 6-7 with a 3.98 ERA in 19 outings.

"I really believe that with Johan now knowing that his shoulder is healthy, he doesn't have to start the process so early as he did this past year," Collins said Friday. "He was playing long toss in December, throwing in January. This year, he probably won't start until Feb. 1, a throwing program. So it allows him to have a couple of months to rest things up. Next summer, we may have to shut him down for a little while just to give him a blow. But I certainly think going into next year, he'll be in much better shape."

Chipper out

Mets nemesis Chipper Jones was scratched from Friday's game because of back tightness he said was caused by the bed in his Manhattan hotel room. Jones said he expects to play Saturday.

Jones, 40, who is retiring after the season, was batting .316 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs. His last series in New York will be Sept. 7-9.

Mets sign pitcher

The Mets signed 27-year-old righthander Drew Carpenter to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Double-A Binghamton. Carpenter pitched in six games for Toronto this season and had a 5.00 ERA. His career major-league ERA is 7.56 with Toronto, San Diego and Philadelphia.