VIERA, Fla. — The first batter Daisuke Matsuzaka faced on Thursday, Denard Span of the Washington Nationals, doubled, stole third base and scored on a groundout. It was the only blemish in an otherwise sharp outing for Matsuzaka, who is trying to win a job in the Mets’ rotation.

This is where Matsuzaka finds himself, at 33, seven years after his breathless arrival from Japan with the Boston Red Sox. Last spring, he competed for a spot in the Cleveland Indians’ rotation but never surfaced in the majors until the Mets rescued him from Class AAA in August and gave him seven starts.

Matsuzaka plans to stay in that spot, despite competition from John Lannan and Jenrry Mejia for the fifth starter’s job. He allowed one run and three hits in three and two-thirds innings of a 7-5 victory at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday. In three games this spring, Matsuzaka has allowed three runs in seven and two-thirds innings, with no walks and seven strikeouts.

“Until the decision is made, I have no say in it, but I have been preparing and expecting myself to be in that position,” Matsuzaka said through an interpreter. “So far, I’m pretty satisfied with what I’ve done.”