Jason Bay was back in the cleanup spot again last night, but he may not stay there for much longer.
Manager Terry Collins said it was “conceivable” the Mets’ $66 million slugger would be moved to the two-hole in the lineup within the next few days.
“I’m going to try something and I have to talk about it with Jason,” Collins said before the Mets’ 3-0 victory over the Nationals last night at Citi Field. “We’ve got to get him some protection.”
After the game, the reporters brought the news to Bay and he was surprised, but unmoved.
“Whatever, I’ll hit anywhere,” Bay said. “It makes no difference.”
He even agreed that it might be the right thing to do.
“I can see the theory of it, absolutely,” said Bay, adding he wouldn’t change his approach if it did happen.
Last night, Bay had Daniel Murphy hitting behind him and both are currently flailing at the plate. But given the state of the team’s offense, they can’t be without the left fielder.
“I told him, ‘We’re going to run you out there and you’re going to have to tell me when you need a blow. We need you in the lineup, especially now,’ ” Collins said of Bay, who went 0-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly to see his average slip to .212. “We may have a couple tweaks to the lineup in the next few days and we’ll see if that works.”
*
Angel Pagan played his first rehab game with St. Lucie last night at Tampa and went 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk as he recovers from his oblique injury that has sidelined him since April 22.
Pagan also played seven innings in center after appearing in a simulated game on Tuesday.
“He’s swinging well,” Collins said before the game. “He ran great and had no discomfort at all.”
Collins said he wants to see Pagan play center in at least four straight games before he gets back to the Mets, which wouldn’t get him back to the majors until Sunday’s game against the Yankees, at the earliest.
“He needs to play defense,” Collins said.
*
Ike Davis (sprained ankle) still can’t run, and Collins said if that continues to be the case, the first baseman might not be able to come off the DL on May 26, as he had hoped.
“It could be longer,” Collins said. “We’re hoping two weeks, but if he’s going to go seven days before running on it, he could need more time.”
*
The Mets’ game on June 5 against Atlanta has been moved to 8 p.m. to accommodate ESPN.