Marcum to start Saturday against Phillies

NEW YORK -- It's official: Shaun Marcum will make his long-awaited Mets debut Saturday against the Phillies at Citi Field, returning from a nearly month-long disabled list stay to start the season.

Marcum threw 52 pitches over five scoreless innings in an extended spring game Monday, and "came through great," according to manager Terry Collins. That made him the obvious candidate to pitch Saturday, when the Mets next need a fifth starter.

On the DL since Opening Day due to nerve inflammation in his neck, Marcum was already en route to New York on Tuesday afternoon. He signed a one-year contract worth $4 million plus incentives over the winter, after going 7-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 21 starts for the Brewers last season.