1.   Howe said Doug Johns is his fifth starter, but the fourth slot is up for grabs.

2.   And Martinez defies reason, returning from retirement to provide a fifth starter where the club had no real candidate in waiting.

3.   And the Yankees may be ready to address their sagging bullpen and fifth starter spot.

4.   As the fifth starter, he also had split time in the bullpen.

5.   At least at the beginning of the season, Dollar, a sophomore, will be the fifth starter.

6.   A decision on a fifth starter could come in a week, if Andy Ashby can return from injury.

7.   A fifth starter takes considerable onus off the front four when games get bunched up.

8.   A fifth starter will be needed just once or twice during that month because of five open dates.

9.   After the Appier acquisition gave the Mets two right-handed starters and two left-handers, Phillips talked about his preference for a fifth starter.

10.   But in his outing against the Reds on Wednesday night, Jones pitched more like a fourth or fifth starter than a stopper.