Worth noting

• Johan Santana, who has yet to pitch in a Grapefruit League game after coaches noticed a lack of arm speed at the beginning of camp, did not participate in the team's Saturday morning workouts.

• Pitching coach Dan Warthen remains optimistic that closer Frank Francisco can pitch on Sunday. The right-hander has been battling inflammation in his right elbow. Earlier in the week Francisco had hoped to pitch on Saturday.

• Top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler is scheduled to pitch a simulated game in Port St. Lucie on Sunday. The right-hander strained his right oblique muscle on Feb. 27. He threw a bullpen session on Thursday.

• Outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, whose bone bruise on his left knee has sidelined him for a week, aims to return to the field on Wednesday. He ran 10 minutes in the pool on Saturday.

• Following his three scoreless innings against the Astros, right-hander Jeremy Hefner threw 25 more pitches to simulate an additional two frames. "I'm throwing a lot of strikes, getting ahead for the most part," Hefner said. "I felt good. Offspeed was working well and three solid innings. ... I was happy with the outing."