ARLINGTON, Texas — Jonathon Niese’s heart tells him this is nothing serious.
The Mets lefty departed yesterday’s game in the sixth inning with a rapid heartbeat — something he has experienced in the past and managed to overcome.
“It’s something that I’ve always managed,” Niese said after the Mets beat the Rangers 14-5. “It’s one of those things where the adrenaline goes and the heart starts racing and you take a deep breath and calm down. It’s really not an issue.”
Nevertheless, manager Terry Collins wasn’t going to take any chances, after Niese had trouble catching his breath in the sixth inning with the Mets leading by 12 runs. Collins went to the mound with trainer Ray Ramirez, and Niese was permitted to remain in the game for one more batter.
Niese said he was examined by the Rangers team doctor, but his heart rate had returned to normal by that time.
Niese said he expects to be examined later in the week.
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Jason Bay has shaken his stiffness at the plate, but his neck is another issue.
The Mets left fielder was absent from yesterday’s lineup because of a stiff neck — an ailment Bay first incurred earlier in the week. Bay’s theory is he aggravated the neck diving for Ian Kinsler‘s sinking line drive in Friday’s first inning.
“My last at-bat I got a hit, and I went to look up at the scoreboard and [felt] it the most,” he said.
Collins didn’t want to take a chance on Bay and gave Jason Pridie the start in left field. Bay is hopeful he will return to the lineup today.
Bay went 3-for-4 on Friday and was batting .378 (14-for-37) over the Mets’ last 10 games. But Bay is more concerned with how the stiff neck could affect his defense than his plate approach.
“I just need enough [comfort] that I could look up on a fly ball,” Bay said.
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Justin Turner was also absent from the starting lineup, as Collins attempted to allow the infielder to rest his aching right thumb. Turner jammed the thumb earlier this month.
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Collins said it’s “feasible” that David Wright‘s return to the Mets will come on July 15 — the first game following the All-Star break. Collins plans to visit Port St. Lucie during the break to evaluate the third baseman, who was cleared on Thursday to resume baseball activities. Wright is recovering from a stress fracture in his back.
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The Mets entered yesterday’s play with the third-worst home run differential in the major leagues — they had allowed 75 homers and hit only 47. The Astros were the worst in that category, with 90 home runs allowed and 42 hit.
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Binghamton Mets third baseman Josh Satin went 4-for-4 to hit for the cycle on Friday at Bowie.
Satin entered yesterday’s action batting .438 (17-for-39) over his last 10 games for Binghamton. Overall he was hitting .316 this season.