LOS ANGELES -- Terry Colllins intimated Johan Santana would open the second half on July 13 in Atlanta, followed by R.A. Dickey the following day. That would give Dickey the proper rest following the All-Star Game.

Collins could not foresee using Dickey out of the bullpen during the final few days of the first half because the manager does not want to jeopardize the knuckleballer's health, or impact his availability for the All-Star Game.

"I'm not going to deny him a chance to pitch in an All-Star Game it took him 18 years to get to," Collins said.

• Daniel Murphy, despite an uptick in production, including three homers on the trip, will sit Sunday against left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Collins did start Murphy against southpaw Chris Capuano in the series opener in L.A., but suggested Kershaw is a different type of left-hander. Lefty batters are hitting .209 against Kershaw, versus .223 for righties.

"He's got that crossfire delivery, 95 mph," Collins said.

• Outfielder Adam Loewen, who had been out since April 20 at Triple-A Buffalo with a stress fracture in his right foot, has been activated from the minor league disabled list and temporarily will play for Class A St. Lucie to get acclimated to game action. Mike Baxter beat out Loewen for the lefty-hitting backup outfielder spot out of spring training.

• Frank Francisco traveled from New York to the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Friday. Collins believed Francisco (oblique) had not yet resumed throwing.