Santana unlikely to grace Citi in 2011

As uplifting as it would be to see Johan Santana pitch in the big leagues this season, Terry Collins insists that Santana's shoulder is more important than the Mets' spirits.

"Right now, we have no plans of seeing him here," Collins said. The only exception might be for a simulated game if there is no minor-league playoff game in which Santana can follow up his solid outing on Friday night.

If he comes to Queens and feels good, Santana conceivably could lobby to get on the mound during a game. "He can sit in my office every day. If I don't think he's ready to pitch in a game, I'm not going to pitch him," Collins said. "As I told him last week, I'm really excited about the progress he's made. I think it's great that he's feeling better, that he's pitching."

The danger is that Santana, coming off shoulder surgery, could get an adrenaline rush and overdo it. As Collins said, "The one thing we don't want to do is take a big step backward."

9/11 perspective

Mets players are looking forward to meeting first responders before the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony Sunday night.

"Perspective' isn't even the word to use," Josh Thole said. "You realize that there is so much more to life than just what we do. We're fortunate that we can play baseball for a living. But when you talk to guys like that who have had that kind of experience, you sit there and your jaw drops. You get bumped and bruised around here and it's not the end of the world. These guys, gosh, it's unexplainable."

Extra bases

Justin Turner, who won Friday's game with a walk-off hit, was a late scratch because of a stomach virus . . . Angel Pagan stole his 30th base. He and Jose Reyes are the only teammates in the majors with 30 steals each . . . Daniel Herrera struck out his only batter. He has allowed one hit and no runs in six games since being acquired.