WASHINGTON — After throwing 39 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, Jon Niese said he is ready to make his scheduled start against the Marlins on Saturday at Citi Field.
“It’s nice to throw a bullpen without feeling any soreness or pain,” the Mets left-hander said before his team beat the Nationals 10-1.
Niese missed his start against the Marlins last Saturday because of tendinitis in his left shoulder. He said he was sore in previous four starts.
”It’s night and day difference, so it was good to get that rest,” Niese said.
* Manager Terry Collins said he doesn’t expect Jeurys Familia to return this season. The rookie reliever underwent surgery yesterday to remove bone chips and loose bodies from his right elbow.
Familia, 23, is considered a key piece in the team’s future bullpen.
“I would have thought by the end of the season he would have been that eighth inning guy,” Collins said. “I told him so, he’s just got to make sure he goes out and works hard and when it’s time and the rehab comes, rehab. He’s a good worker and I know he’ll bounce back.”
* Collins is a fan of the job competition that has been created as the Mets await Zack Wheeler’s promotion. Wheeler is scheduled to pitch tomorrow for Triple-A Las Vegas in what could be his final minor league start. Wheeler’s imminent arrival has left Dillon Gee and Jeremy Hefner battling for a rotation spot. Gee answered Hefner’s one-run, seven-inning effort Tuesday night with a one-run, seven-inning gem of his own last night.
”That’s exactly what this league should be about,” Collins said. “It’s one thing to get here, it’s another to stay up here. Everybody thinks once they get here, they are never going back. That’s not true. It takes work. It takes effort. You have to be accountable and throw up some qualifying numbers to stay in this league and those guys have stepped up and pitched very well lately.”
* Stephen Strasburg, who is battling a strained muscle in his back, was placed on the 15-day DL after he was unable to make a scheduled bullpen session.
* Mets players, coaches and officials visited Bethesda Naval Hospital, where they had lunch with wounded military personnel and their families. Principal owner Fred Wilpon was among those in attendance.