"Terry Collins isn't thinking about Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey or anybody other than his true ace for the Mets' Opening Day pitching assignment.

The Mets manager is banking on Johan Santana.

"In my mind right now, in my heart, he'll be ready – I don't think there's any question," Collins said Tuesday during his state of the Mets address to open camp. "He's gearing himself up for that to be ready and we're going to take this very slowly and cautiously."

Collins added that he envisions Santana giving the team 25-28 starts."