The finals details leading to Jason Bay’s welcome home party are in place. Now it’s all on the guest of honor’s chest — or more precisely left ribcage — to be there.
Though the Mets were hopeful Flushing Bay would flood left field at Citi Field tonight against Houston for the start of a six-game homestand, team brass yesterday decided the injured player would benefit from two more minor-league rehab games — making Thursday the new target for his season debut.
Bay, who huddled with general manager Sandy Alderson, manager Terry Collins and members of the team’s medical staff in New York, was sent back to Single-A St. Lucie because of forecasts for cold weather at Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A Binghamton. The Mets originally planned to have Bay play the games for Buffalo if he needed to continue his rehab.
The Mets’ lineup can certainly use a jolt after scoring only five combined runs in losing two of three games to the Braves over the weekend. But they at least snapped a seven-game losing streak with Sunday’s 3-2 victory.
“I hope he’s ready to hit,” Collins said, when asked about Bay’s looming return. “But to get him back and in our lineup means a lot. It [will] kind of put guys in positions where everybody can really make a contribution now.”
Bay sustained the ribcage injury during batting in spring training three weeks ago. He was originally hopeful he would join the Mets on April 9, a day after their home opener, but didn’t begin swinging a bat until later.
Collins’ plan in spring training was to bat Bay fifth in the order, behind Carlos Beltran. The manager will have to decide if Bay is ready to be thrust into the middle of the lineup or might benefit from a transition period.
“We all know Jason is a great hitter,” Angel Pagan said. “To have him healthy in the lineup, he’s the kind of offensive guy we need in the lineup. He’s going to bring that to the table and we are looking forward to that. We’re going to have a lot better lineup with him.”
Bay hasn’t played a game at Citi Field since before last season’s All-Star break. He sustained a concussion crashing into the fence at Dodger Stadium last July 23 and missed the final two months of the season recovering. Overall, he was a disappointment in the first year of a $66 million deal that runs through 2013 — there is also a fifth-year vesting option. Last year Bay hit .259 with six homers and 47 RBIs.
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Maybe the biggest concern in the lineup as the Mets prepare for the Astros and Diamondbacks over the next six games is Pagan, who is batting .169 with one home run and six RBIs this season. Pagan’s anemic production has led to Collins moving him around in the lineup, but the manager ideally would like to have the center fielder settled in the No. 2 hole.
“Right now my approach is not the best,” Pagan said. “I’m maybe thinking a little bit too much at the plate and trying to do too much, and that’s giving me a little trouble, but I trust myself.”
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Pedro Beato has emerged as a trusted option in the bullpen for Collins. The righty has made six appearances and not allowed an earned run this season.
“He’s earned the chance to get more opportunities in tougher situations,” Collins said. “Certainly he hasn’t shown that he’s nervous about it, and he throws strikes and I’ve been very impressed.”