Santana's next rehab start delayed a day

Johan Santana's second rehab start has been pushed back a day to Thursday, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday night.

Alderson said Santana "didn't feel quite as strong as he would have liked" when he played catch Monday in Port St. Lucie. Santana made his first rehab start Thursday, throwing three innings as he attempts to come back from shoulder surgery.

His next start originally was scheduled for Wednesday.

"Rather than force it, we'll back it off a day," Alderson said. "We'll see how he feels [Tuesday]. I wouldn't view that as a setback necessarily. I think it's a tweak in the schedule. We'll know [Tuesday] whether it constitutes something more significant."

Santana, speaking in Port St. Lucie Monday, said: "This is rehab. That means you have to pay attention and be careful and listen to everything. That's what we're doing right now. At the same time, we're working and putting everything together, but we go one day at a time to make sure we recover and then we go from there."

The Mets would like Santana to pitch in the major leagues this season but are not counting on it.

Wheeler throws in minors

Zack Wheeler, the righthander the Mets acquired from San Francisco for Carlos Beltran, allowed four runs in four innings for Class A St. Lucie in his first start since the trade.

Trainer's room

Ike Davis (ankle) has begun running in Arizona. Alderson said the team should have an idea by "the end of the week" if Davis will be able to return this season or need surgery.

With Jon Santucci

in Port St. Lucie