Jason Isringhausen thought he would still be with the Mets this season.
“I wanted to come back,” said Isringhausen, who had conversations with Mets officials during the offseason before eventually signing with the Angels. “We talked to [general manager] Sandy [Alderson] and he said to call him before I went anywhere. But, by the time I got the deal here, they had already brought all those guys in.”
The Mets traded for Ramon Ramirez and signed Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch, leaving no room for Isringhausen, who revived his career with his original team a year ago after a spring training workout.
“I’m still thankful they gave me the chance,’’ said Isringhausen, who pitched a scoreless seventh in the Yankees’ 5-0 win over Los Angeles yesterday in The Bronx. “And Sandy called to wish me luck. But I’m glad I wound up here and I think we have a chance to win.”
Isringhausen lost 25 pounds in the offseason and is confident he will be able to last the entire season after fading in the second half last year.
“I prepared this time,” Isringhausen said. “That will pay off.”