PORT ST. LUCIE — Ronny Paulino’s spring training could be finished just as it was really getting started.
The Mets have shut down the backup catcher from baseball activities after receiving results of a recent blood test administered to Paulino. The team expects to have more test results in the coming days.
“I’m pretty worried about his health,” manager Terry Collins said after the Mets beat the Braves 8-2 yesterday. “Ronny is very discouraged he’s going to miss time, because he’s feeling great. He thinks he’s in great shape. He doesn’t feel any symptoms of things. He is just very disappointed he can’t participate in stuff.”
Paulino was three weeks late reporting to camp as he awaited a visa in the Dominican Republic. The delay stemmed from the fact Paulino flunked a drug test with the Marlins last season, resulting in a 50-game suspension that still has eight games remaining.
GM Sandy Alderson said the blood test administered to Paulino was unrelated to the drug testing the player underwent to obtain his visa. Mike Nickeas is scheduled to be Josh Thole’s backup at catcher during Paulino’s suspension.
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Jason Bay was inactive yesterday because of stiffness in his back, but expects to play again tomorrow. Bay incurred soreness during batting practice on Friday and Collins suggested he take two days to rest. Bay said the soreness wouldn’t have been enough to remove him from regular season games.
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Jason Isringhausen could pitch today against the Cardinals. It would be his first Grapefruit League appearance since incurring swelling in his elbow a week ago.
Isringhausen is trying to show team brass he is healthy enough to claim a vacancy in the Mets’ bullpen. He reiterated that he will not accept a minor league assignment from the Mets.
“I came here to make the team,” he said.
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Mike Pelfrey allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his final spring training start.
“Today was by far my best outing of the spring,” he said. “I thought the fastball velocity got to where it needed to be, I felt like the ball was jumping out of my hand.”
Pelfrey’s next appearance will come in Friday’s opener at Florida.