John Maine had five more days’ rest than he would have liked.
Maine was ready to come off the disabled list on Friday, but instead pitched a simulated game. Maine will make his return tonight against the Nationals (7:10, SNY, WFAN), as the Amazin’s look to make it two in a row in the nation’s capital. Last night’s 4-3 win pulled the Mets to with one game of the first-place Phillies.
“I felt fine,” Maine said. “I felt I could have pitched [Friday vs. the Marlins] anyways.”
Maine was frustrated by being kept on the DL, but said the simulated game may have helped.
“I was a little rusty,” Maine sad. “Taking time off, it feels like two months. The ball was coming off my hand pretty good. I’m just trying to get some spin on my offspeed stuff, that’s the only thing I’m worried about.”
Maine’s previous start on July 28 was cut short after 4 1/3 innings against the Marlins because of continued stiffness in his throwing shoulder. It was the second time this season Maine had to be taken out of a game early with shoulder problems.
“I’m frustrated because I want to go out there and pitch,” Maine said.
Maine’s season has been littered with inconsistency. His inability to put batters away has led to more walks and ran up his pitch counts, which has forced him out of games early. That is not a good thing for a bullpen that has struggled to maintain leads all season.
The problems have been more pronounced with Billy Wagner on the DL. Jerry Manuel mentioned the possibility of moving Maine, Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey to the closer’s role until Wagner hopefully returns to the team on Monday.
“Hey, whatever’s the best for the team,” Maine said. “You just have to learn to get ready quicker. It would be fun. I’d love to get a couple of saves. Why not?”
Tonight’s Pitching Matchup:
Mets RHP John Maine (9-7, 4.18 ERA) Maine has won his two starts this season against the Nationals. In the two starts he allowed three earned runs over 12 2/3 innings, but both those starts were at Shea Stadium.
Nationals RHP Jason Bergmann (2-8, 4.13 ERA) Bergmann is the definition of a hard-luck loser. The New Jersey native has two wins despite some sparkling performances this season. One of those victories did come against the Mets when he threw seven shutout innings on May 15 as the Nationals won 1-0 at Shea.
With Mets.com