Jeremy Hefner, a spot starter and long man last season, was lined up to fill in early for Santana.

WSJ: Married to the Mets: Wright waiting for young help

Some of the bouncing back and forth has made it tough for him to settle in, and it also clouds the competition for the fifth starter's spot.

WSJ: Hope Springs Eternal for Hughes's Fastball

Hughes makes his first spring appearance Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he has something to prove to his bosses, who are waiting and hoping that he can show enough to win the fifth starter's spot out of camp over veteran Freddy Garcia.

WSJ: Hope Springs Eternal for Hughes's Fastball

The Patriots cut linebacker Jeff Tarpinian to create a spot for Talib, the troubled former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter.

FORBES: Patrick Lee

Houston starter Brad Peacock, competing with Alex White for a rotation spot, allowed one run and two hits over five innings.

WSJ: Wells drives in run in debut, Yanks and Astros tie

Mets manager Terry Collins said Hefner will be the team's No. 4 starter behind Jonathon Niese, Matt Harvey and Dillon Gee, and that the final spot is a question mark.

WSJ: Kozma hits slam, leads Wainwright, Cards over Mets