MIAMI — Keep it short and simple.
Manager Terry Collins has given Josh Thole that advice as the Mets catcher tries to rescue his swing and get a few hits before the season ends.
Thole, in an 0-for-25 nosedive that had sunk his average to .236, is expected to play again tonight before Collins gets Kelly Shoppach back behind the plate tomorrow.
Collins said Thole had recently been trying to pull the ball in an effort to produce more power, but that approach has been scrapped.
“He felt uncomfortable [pulling the ball] and due to that he’s gotten himself into a couple of bad habits,” Collins said before the Mets’ 3-0 victory over the Marlins last night. “So try to resurrect the old swing and shorten it up again.
“We’re trying to reestablish the swing that he had two years ago when he first got here: Shorten the swing up and shorten up on the bat a little bit.”
* Catcher Mike Nickeas is expected to rejoin the Mets today in the first wave of September call-ups. The Mets also recalled infielder Zach Lutz. Pitcher Collin McHugh won’t join the team until Monday in St. Louis for his start against the Cardinals.
* Collins gave slumping Andres Torres a start in center field last night over Scott Hairston, because the manager was concerned about the huge coverage area in the outfield at Marlins Park.
“This is a place where you’ve got to catch the ball,” Collins said.
* Mike Pelfrey, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is expected to be in the clubhouse during the St. Louis series. … The Mets entered last night’s play with at least one homer in six straight games for their second longest streak of the season. The team homered in eight consecutive games, from May 28 to June 5.