"I knew it all the time that I was fine," Santana said. "I didn't question anything. It's just that I had a little setback, worked out and did all the treatment I was supposed to do, and then got back on track."

Santana, one day shy of his 30th birthday, was charged with three runs on four hits while striking out two and walking none against Florida. He surrendered a second-inning homer to Dan Uggla, on a first-pitch fastball.

"Most of the time they're going to attack me early," Santana said. "At the same time, this is just my first game. I just want to get everything going with my fastball, my changeup and my slider more than anything."

Said Uggla: "He's out here working on stuff. I thought he pitched well. I happened to get lucky on a fastball and put a pretty good swing on it."

Following Santana, the Mets are expected to use Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez in a season-opening series against the Reds, then have John Maine open the second series against the Marlins in Miami. The early favorite for the fifth starter's role is Livan Hernandez.