PHILADELPHIA — Mike Pelfrey will play the good soldier and close games if the Mets want him in that role next season, but the right-hander probably has as much chance of becoming the team’s next closer as John Franco.
Manager Terry Collins, who is searching under every rock for a future closer, acknowledged yesterday he recently broached the subject with Pelfrey.
“I just thought about Mike because he’s got a great arm and I know he’s durable,” Collins said before the Mets’ 10-0 loss to the Phillies last night.
Collins said the talk will probably end with that conversation he had with Pelfrey, as the organization still views the righty as an innings-eater who belongs in the starting rotation.
But just the fact Pelfrey’s name was mentioned tells you Collins is hardly sold on the idea of using Bobby Parnell as the closer in 2012.
Pedro Beato has been mentioned as another possible option, but the rookie won’t be tested in that role this season because of fatigue.
“If the team wanted me to do it, I would,” Pelfrey said. “I’ve never done it before, so it would be something new. It would be fun if it ultimately came to that, but I don’t think it is going to.”
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Angel Pagan was late getting to the plate in the fifth inning because of a stomach ailment that sent him rushing to the bathroom as he left the field in the bottom of the fourth.
Pagan said he told trainer Ray Ramirez as he exited the field, but that message evidently wasn’t relayed to Collins, who — along with plate umpire Mike DiMuro — was searching for Pagan after Nick Evans walked to extend the inning.
Collins removed Pagan from the game after he grounded out to end the fifth. He is expected to play tonight.
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Jose Reyes ran the bases yesterday, and is scheduled to begin a minor-league league rehab assignment on Thursday for Double-A Binghamton.
Reyes, who is recovering from a strained left hamstring, would likely play three or four games in the minors before returning to the Mets next week.
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Lucas Duda shifted to right field in the fourth inning as part of a double switch, as Collins attempts to begin thinking in terms of 2012. But the manager said he likely won’t move Duda to right field on a full-time basis until September.
Evans will start at first base tonight and will likely receive a steady stream of at-bats as the first baseman in September when Duda goes to right field full time.