Spring training isn’t even over yet, and the New York Mets already have a major hole in their starting rotation.

No. 5 pitcher Steve Trachsel, always counted on to make his starts and chew up innings, will have surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and is likely to miss a major portion of the season.

“This is not what I expected when I left last week to go to New York for X-rays,” Trachsel said in a statement Wednesday. “I thought I would get a shot and be back.

“There is no doubt in my mind I’ll be pitching again before the end of the season.”

Who will take his place is now the big question.

Players who have this type of operation normally missed about three months, said Mets general manager Omar Minaya, who wouldn’t speculate on how long Trachsel would be out. New York first will look internally to fill Trachsel’s spot.

“Hopefully we get him back soon,” No. 1 starter Pedro Martinez said.

Trachsel, 34, went 12-13 with a 4.00 earned-run average last season. He has made at least 28 starts each of the last 10 years.

Right handers Matt Ginter, Jae Seo and Aaron Heilman would be the most likely to replace Trachsel as the fifth starter in the rotation behind Martinez, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano.

“The opportunity is there for a few guys,” Mets manager Willie Randolph said. “We’ll see who takes the bull by the horns.”

The news was somewhat better for the Chicago Cubs’ rotation.

Injured starters Kerry Wood and Mark Prior showed progress after testing their arms Wednesday.

Wood, who has bursitis in the shoulder and inflammation near the rotator cuff, worked from the mound and threw about 30 pitches, pitching coach Larry Rothschild said.

Prior, who has inflammation in his elbow and irritation to the ulnar nerve, played catch from about 80 feet for five minutes.

Wood left his spring training start March 9 after the second inning because of tightness in his right shoulder. He had an MRI exam in Arizona, then flew back to Chicago.

Prior made his Cactus League debut March 10 and pitched three innings against the Seattle Mariners without problems. However, the Cubs revealed Monday that Prior felt discomfort a short time after that game while doing routine exercises.

Red Sox 9, St. Louis 3

At Fort Myers, Fla., Boston beat St. Louis in the first game between the teams since the Red Sox swept the Cardinals for their first World Series championship in 86 years.

Devil Rays 4, Tigers 3

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Dewon Brazelton pitched four innings and learned that he’d be the Devil Rays’ opening-day starter.

Pirates 9, Yankees 4

At Bradenton, Fla., Kevin Brown of the Yankees gave up seven runs and eight hits in 42/3 innings just hours after his wife gave birth.

Phillies 4, Reds 3

At Sarasota, Fla., Franklin Perez worked out of ninth-inning trouble for Philadelphia. Phillies starter Gavin Floyd allowed a walk and three hits in five innings, including a two-run homer to Joe Randa in the second.

Mets 4, Marlins 3

At Jupiter, Fla., Martinez allowed three hits in three scoreless innings for the Mets. Marlins first baseman Carlos Delgado snapped an 0-for-12 skid, homering on the first pitch he saw from Zambrano. The Mets scored three runs, two earned, off A.J. Burnett.

Twins 5, Blue Jays 0

At Dunedin, Fla., Johan Santana threw four shutout innings — allowing just two hits and one walk. Scott Baker gave up one hit in two innings, striking out three and getting the other three outs on ground balls.

Dodgers 7, Orioles 5

At Vero Beach, Fla., Jeff Weaver allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings, but was chosen to start the Dodgers’ home opener.

Mariners 4, Giants 1

At Peoria, Ariz., Gil Meche and Bobby Madritsch allowed a combined two hits in seven scoreless innings for Seattle.

Astros 11, Indians 5

At Winter Haven, Fla., Roy Oswalt pitched four innings, and Brad Ausmus raised his spring average to .550 with a two-run homer for Houston. Travis Hafner hit two solo homers, and Juan Gonzalez had a two-run shot for the Indians.

Athletics 13, Padres 1

At Phoenix, Eric Byrnes and Marco Scutaro each hit two-run homers in Oakland’s rout. Athletics starter Kirk Saarloos rebounded from a bad outing and earned the victory by throwing three strong innings.

Rockies 4, Angels 2

At Tucson, Ariz., Jason Young started for the Rockies after Shawn Chacon was scratched because of a hamstring injury. Angels starter Bartolo Colon aggravated his back while running the bases and left the game.

Braves 4, Nationals 0

At Kissimmee, Fla., John Smoltz pitched four scoreless innings.

Rangers 9, Diamondbacks 2

At Tucson, Ariz., Texas starter Ryan Drese pitched four strong innings and homered off Arizona’s Russ Ortiz.