CLEVELAND — Frank Francisco lives.
The disappointing and often-injured Mets reliever was activated before his team’s 9-4 loss to the Indians on Saturday, but wasn’t expected in town until after the game.
Francisco, who is finishing a two-year deal worth $12 million, has spent the season on the disabled list with a sore arm, after undergoing surgery last December to remove bone chips from his right elbow.
The Mets were unhappy with Francisco’s work ethic during rehab, according to sources, leaving a front-office executive to recently say he couldn’t wait for Francisco to be activated from the disabled list so the Mets could “release his [butt].”
It remains to be seen if the team will make good on the threat. To clear space for Francisco on the 40-man roster, the Mets moved Jenrry Mejia to the 60-day disabled list.
Francisco was 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA and 23 saves in 48 appearances for the Mets last season.
Greg Burke will arrive today from Triple-A Las Vegas to give the Mets another arm in the bullpen.
Nick Swisher was slow in leaving the batter’s box after hitting a second-inning home run, but manager Terry Collins said the Mets weren’t offended.
“You know Nick Swisher,” Collins said.
David Wright [hamstring] will leave Port St. Lucie this weekend and travel back to New York, but there is no indication when he might be activated.
Wright had a “rough time” in Port St. Lucie, according to Collins, because there were no pitchers left to throw him batting practice with the conclusion of the minor league season.
“He’s not getting done what we hoped he would, so he can get it done with us,” Collins said. “We need him to see some live pitching.”
Wilmer Flores, who has been bothered by sore ankles, appeared uncomfortable at the plate on Friday, and was absent from Saturday’s lineup.
“I’m not sure he can pivot like he wants to on that front ankle,” Collins said. “It’s causing him more problems.”
Collins said he would have started Justin Turner at third base, regardless, because the manager wanted his best defensive infield to play with Jon Niese on the mound.