Not only did John Maine pitch well in his first minor league rehab start last night, but Jerry Manuel said yesterday that the injured righty could be a candidate to start one end of the Mets-Phillies doubleheader next Sunday.
Maine, who has been on the disabled list for three months with shoulder weakness, tossed four innings of two-hit, shutout ballfor St. Lucie in high A-ball, striking out six and throwing 58 pitches. It was Maine’s first time pitching since he was on the mound June 6 for the Mets.
That’s a long time to be out and there aren’t many games left in the season, but Manuel said, “I’d like to see him back before the year ends.”
Over the last few seasons, Maine has steadily worsened in terms of reliability. After making 32 starts in 2007, he fell to 25 last year and has dropped to just 11 this season, going 5-4 with a 4.52 ERA. The 28-year-old Maine had surgery on his right shoulder last September.
*
There’s a chance Carlos Beltran might come off the disabled list Tuesday. The All-Star center fielder, who’s been out since June 22 with a bone bruise, played all nine innings in center last night for Single-A Brooklyn and is slated to do the same today. Beltran went 1-for-5 last night, actually delivering a walk-off RBI single in the ninth.
With Beltran playing back-to-back full games this weekend, Manuel said that “you could possibly see him on Tuesday if he’s still somewhat symptom-free.”
“It depends on how he feels after each game,” the manager said.
The Mets acquired Jeff Francoeur almost two months ago, and he’s performed well since. But Manuel said the team hasn’t discussed plate discipline with the right fielder, who notoriously has had issues with that in his career.
“Have we talked about strike-zone management?” Manuel said. “Not necessarily.”
Manuel said the team might talk to Francoeur about his approach during spring training.