MLB

Former closer Francisco makes Mets season debut

CLEVELAND — Frank Francisco’s season to forget has included the disappointment of not getting a chance to market himself to other teams.

“I was working the whole time to be here, especially in my free-agent year,” the Mets reliever said Sunday, a day after he was activated from the disabled list for the first time in 2013.

“In your free-agent year you’re trying to give everything you have to probably get the opportunity to go maybe to another organization and get another chance. You’re trying to look good, and it didn’t happen.”

The right-hander made his season debut on Sunday, getting the win in the Mets’ 2-1 victory over the Indians. Francisco entered in the eighth and got Asdrubal Cabrera to hit into a double play after walking Jason Kubel.

The 33-year-old Francisco, whose two-year contract worth $12 million is nearly complete, earlier expressed regret he couldn’t help the Mets more this year.

“Honestly, I wish I could play here again [next year],” Francisco said. “Because I was here the whole time working hard to be there for the team and doing what I’m supposed to do and it didn’t happen. I feel like I owe to not just the organization, I feel like I owe it to myself, to the fans, to everybody.”

Francisco underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow in December and had various setbacks each time he appeared close to rejoining the club. Francisco said a tear was discovered in his pronator muscle at one point and he received a shot. According to sources, the organization was unhappy with Francisco’s work ethic during his rehab. leaving one front-office executive to say he couldn’t wait for Francisco to return from the DL so the Mets could “release his [butt].”

Francisco tried to downplay any tension that existed between the two sides.

“We didn’t have much communication,” he said. “We went back and forth a couple of times. It was tough, because there was a lot of frustration on both sides.”

Manager Terry Collins indicated he’s just happy to have another arm for the bullpen.

“He’s the only one who knows how he feels,” Collins said. “With that taken into consideration, everybody heals in different manners.

“I don’t know how extensive the damage was as far as the bone spurs that he had cleaned out, but some guys come back faster. He’s the only one who knew how he felt and how to go about it, so he’s here today.”

Matt Harvey will have a follow-up examination with Dr. James Andrews this week that will help determine the extent of his torn ulnar collateral ligament. Harvey is expected to decide by next week if he will undergo Tommy John surgery on the right elbow, likely costing him the 2014 season.

With Triple-A Las Vegas’ season complete — the 51s lost to Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League semifinals — Ruben Tejada and Aaron Harang are expected to join the Mets this week. The Mets also plan to add a third catcher, likely Juan Centeno.