The Mets have agreed to pay $100,000 to Daisuke Matsuzaka to retain his rights. This allows the Mets to send Matsuzaka to Triple-A begin the year if they wish. No official decision has been made on the fifth starter job and we might not hear anything until the weekend, but it appears that Jenrry Mejia has gained some momentum.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Daisuke Matsuzaka is "seemingly locked" in as the Mets' fifth starter. Matsuzaka held the Cardinals to one run over six-plus innings Monday to likely seal his spot in the rotation, though manager Terry Collins says that Jenrry Mejia is still competing for the spot. "It certainly gives him an edge, because he's done it before, and he's done it a lot," Collins said of Dice-K. "But certainly, with the way Jenrry threw yesterday, he's got to be in that mix." The general feeling is that Mejia will be used in relief to begin the season, with a move into the rotation probably eventually on tap.

Daisuke Matsuzaka was charged with one run in six-plus innings Monday in a victory over the Cardinals. Matsuzaka fanned the first three batters he faced today (finishing with five overall) and had a shutout going when he hit Stephen Piscotty in the helmet with a curve to start the seventh. He was pulled right away, and the runner came around to score off Vic Black. The strong outing should just about ensure that Dice-K will be the Mets' fifth starter. He's a fringe guy in NL-only leagues.

Daisuke Matsuzaka is the favorite to claim the last spot in the Mets' rotation, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. Dice-K has a 4.97 ERA this spring, though that number was better before he surrendered four runs in five innings to the Tigers on Tuesday. He can round out a rotation in deeper NL-only formats, but shouldn't be relied upon if it can be helped.

Daisuke Matsuzaka surrendered four runs in five innings and struck out five in the Mets' win over a Tigers split-squad on Tuesday. Dice-K gave up homers to Miguel Cabrera and Tyler Collins among his seven hits allowed. His spring ERA is up to 4.97 now, but indications are that he remains the favorite to claim a spot in the Mets' rotation. He's not recommended as more than a reserve pick in NL-only leagues.

Daisuke Matsuzaka fanned four while allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings Thursday in the Mets' 7-5 win over the Nationals. Dice-K appears to be the favorite to become the Mets' fifth starter. He has a 3.52 ERA and a 7/0 K/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings this spring.

Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lannan both pitched two innings and allowed two runs -- one earned -- Friday against a Cardinals split-squad. It makes it tough to evaluate the pitchers when the defense plays like crap all day, which is what the Mets dealt with today. Matsuzaka, nominally the favorite to open up as the Mets' fifth starter, allowed six hits today, but at least one should have been turned into an out. He struck out three and walked none. Lannan allowed three hits, walked none and struck out one after taking over to begin the third. Rafael Montero, the long shot in the competition, also pitched and allowed one unearned run in his two innings.

Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed one run in two innings Sunday in his start against the Cardinals. Doubles from leadoff man Matt Carpenter and No. 3 hitter Matt Holliday got the Cardinals started off right, but Matsuzaka was able to retire the other six batters he faced. It was a decent first effort as he attempts to win the fifth spot in the Mets rotation.

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York believes that Daisuke Matsuzaka is currently the front-runner to occupy the fifth and final spot in the Mets Opening Day rotation. He's competing with Jenrry Mejia and John Lannan among others for that final vacancy. The 33-year-old hurler finished the 2013 season on a high note, posting a 3-0 record, 1.37 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 21/9 K/BB ratio over 26 1/3 innings. He still has the ability to miss bats, and in the friendly confines of Citi Field could be worth a look in the later rounds of mixed leagues.

Tim Rohan of the New York Times writes that Daisuke Matsuzaka is "vying for the No. 5 spot" in the Mets' rotation. Matsuzaka seemed like a longshot to make the Mets' Opening Day roster when he signed a minor league contract with the club in late January, but Rohan notes that the Japanese right-hander has clicked with pitching coach Dan Warthen on some mechanical changes. "Dice-K" went 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA over his final four starts in 2013. No matter what happens this spring, he's doubtful to regain fantasy relevance.