MLB

Mets’ Isringhausen wants to pitch in 2012

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Jason Isringhausen is hurting, but not enough to call it a career.

The veteran Mets reliever yesterday said he plans to continue pitching next season, after bucking the odds in 2011 and remaining relatively healthy.

Isringhausen is bothered by a herniated disk in his back that will keep him sidelined for at least a few days, but intends to resume throwing by next week. The fact that his arm remains intact, after 53 appearances for the Mets, has him committed to 2012.

BOX SCORE, GAME 1

BOX SCORE, GAME 2

“As of right now I want to pitch next year — I plan on it,” Isringhausen said before the Mets were swept, 6-5 and 5-1, by the Braves in yesterday’s doubleheader at Citi Field. “The way my arm feels, getting the rest of my body in shape over the winter, the way I know I can, losing a few pounds, I think everything will be fine.

“The way my arm feels, I have nothing to hold me back. It’s always been an arm problem with me. It’s never been anything else, and once I realized my arm can hold up, pitching multiple times a week and it was bouncing back fine. . . . If I could still throw there isn’t any reason why I shouldn’t be doing this.”

The 39-year-old Isringhausen seems unlikely to remain with the Mets, who will look for younger, inexpensive options. Last month Isringhausen, who has earned nearly $57 million during his career, told The Post he will not pitch for $500,000 again next season.

Isringhausen became the closer in July — after Francisco Rodriguez was traded — and earned the seven saves he needed to reach the 300 plateau for his career. Looking toward next year, the team has used Bobby Parnell in the closer’s role for the last three weeks.

“If I could take away two games where I gave up multiple runs, I’m happy with my year,” said Isringhausen, who is 3-3 with a 4.05 ERA and seven saves. “My arm feels great — that is the thing I’m most encouraged about. Health-wise I’m happy. There was a big question mark coming out of spring and then after that I didn’t miss any time.”

Manager Terry Collins said Isringhausen has been more durable than the Mets could have anticipated. Isringhausen made the team after arriving at spring camp for a tryout arranged by special adviser J.P. Ricciardi.

“When he threw the ball as well as he did in spring training, the discussion was there is no way he’s going to make the season,” Collins said. “We just didn’t think his arm was going to hold up. We knew when he got here, that we really had to worry about it, and that has never been an issue.

“His arm has never been an issue,” Collins added. “I salute the fact Izzy has gone about it that way. He’s pitched in games where he didn’t feel 100 percent, but this guy is a workhorse.”

Isringhausen just wants to keep going.

“This is what I love to do,” he said. “Barring something that happens between now and February, unless my wife tells me no, I plan on pitching again.”

mpuma@nypost.com