Mets Manager Terry Collins Trying to Get R.A. Dickey the Cy Young

Mike Stobe/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- One of the best stories of the 2012 Major League Baseball season has been the emergence of starting pitcher R.A. Dickey. Dickey has done so well that his manager Terry Collins admitted he'll do whatever he can to put Dickey in a position to win the Cy Young award.

"Will I? I certainly might, yes," Collins told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com when asked if he'd pitch Dickey more in September to pad his stats. "He certainly deserves that shot. I thought Jose Reyes deserved to win the batting title last year, too. I got criticized for that, and I may get criticized for this."

To say that Dickey is having a career year is an understatement. Armed with the knuckleball, Dickey is on pace to set career highs in wins, innings, strikeouts, WHIP, and ERA.

Collins said that while he wouldn't continuously pitch him on three days rest, he does intend to pitch him at least every fifth game and hopes to get Dickey at least 10 more starts.

Among National League starters, Dickey currently ranks first in wins, first in innings pitched, first in strikeouts, first in WHIP, and fourth in ERA.

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Johan Santana Placed on 15-day DL

Mike Stobe/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The New York Mets placed pitcher Johan Santana on the 15-day disabled-list on Saturday with a sprained right ankle.

Since throwing the first no-hitter in Mets franchise history, Santana has given up 19 earned runs in his last three starts and has a 6.54 ERA and allowed 11 homers in 42 2/3 innings.

"Ever since the ankle injury, basically he's lost his command," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We don't think he can land properly ... he is using all arm to pitch with, causing some fatigue in his shoulder, (but) no pain. There's just nothing there. So we're gonna disable him and get him some rest. Let the ankle heal and rebuild the arm strength back a little bit."

But Mets general manager Sandy Alderson doesn't believe it's anything too serious.

"We think that he will resume a strength and cardio program," Alderson said. "He'll do long-tossing and have the doctors take another look at the shoulder, but we don't think that's an issue."

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New York Mets Appealing R.A. Dickey's 1-Hitter

Daniel Shirey/Getty Images(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) -- The New York Mets left Tampa Bay on Wednesday night seeking their second no-hitter in franchise history.

R.A. Dickey left owning the Mets' longest streak of scoreless innings in franchise history after he beat the Rays 9-1 passing Jerry Koosman’s 31 2/3 inning streak in 1973.  He’ll be waiting to see what the commissioner’s office rules David Wright’s bobble on a B.J. Upton ruled hit in the bottom of the first inning after the Mets appealed the play, calling it an error.

"We're probably not going to win it," New York Mets manager Terry Collins said. "David tried to make it. It's B.J. running. But what the heck? What have you got to lose except to have somebody say no? You've got an All-Star third baseman who comes in and tries to make a play."

Wright said he did the best he could to get to the ball and make the out.

"I tried to make the play. I didn't make it," Wright said. "It's as simple as that. I don't think I could have got him with the glove. I tried to barehand it. It hit the lip and skipped on me. I didn't make the play. If they want to go back and give me an error, they can do that. I guess there's a handful of guys on that team you would have to barehand it and rush it. I wish it would have been somebody a little bit slower, where I could have taken my time and gloved it."

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Terry Collins Takes Blame For Santana's Rough Start

Marc Serota/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Johan Santana had a week's rest before he took the ball on Friday night against the Yankees, but even with all that rest, Santana was not effective.

Santana (3-3) gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs in the Mets 9-1 loss to the Yankees but his manager Terry Collins was the one who took the blame.

"I am responsible for the way he pitched," Collins said. "He was rusty. The command of his stuff was not as sharp as it's been the past three or four or five starts. It was my doing tonight.  We erred on the side of caution, and it cost us the game."

But Santana didn't feel his manager should get the fingers pointed only at him.

"We're in this together. It's not just me or him or just one guy. We win or lose together ... This is a tough one, but we've just gotta continue playing," Santana said.

Santana is coming off Tommy John surgery and his last start, in which he threw the first Mets no hitter in franchise history.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Santana Named Mets Opening Day Starter

Marc Serota/Getty Images(PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.) -- For the seventh time in his career, pitcher Johan Santana will be a team's opening day starter. The Mets decided Sunday that Santana would start their season opener Thursday at Citi Field, when they take on the Atlanta Braves.

Santana missed all of the 2011 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder.

Santana has made five starts this spring, with his highest pitch count reaching 88 pitches.

He felt achiness after his final Grapefruit League start last Monday, but Saturday Santana told manager Terry Collins he was ready to pitch, solidifying the decision.

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