PORT ST. LUCIE — Pedro Feliciano has a “small hole” in the exterior of his heart, the left-handed reliever revealed yesterday upon his return to Mets camp.
Manager Terry Collins called Feliciano’s ailment potentially serious, but Feliciano — who traveled to New York a day earlier for evaluation — said doctors have told him the situation is not life-threatening.
“They said they found some little hole in my heart,” Feliciano said. “I’ve never felt nothing in my heart, so it’s surprising to me.”
Feliciano said he will wear a heart monitor for the next few days and then be re-evaluated by doctors. He will not be cleared to resume baseball activities until undergoing further testing.
“For now, I’m just going to hang out and chill,” Feliciano said.
The veteran is battling Robert Carson, Aaron Laffey and Scott Rice for the second lefty’s role in the bullpen behind Josh Edgin.
* Collin Cowgill delivered a go-ahead RBI double for the Mets in the sixth inning yesterday and then hustled to add another run. After Nationals first baseman Micah Owings booted Omar Quintanilla’s grounder and flipped to the pitcher covering the bag, Cowgill raced home from second base.
“As soon as [Cowgill] came around third and saw that pitcher had his back to home plate he took off,” Collins said. “I don’t even think [third base coach Tim Teufel] said anything. That’s the kind of player we’ve been told he is.”
* Though closers often work the third or fourth inning in exhibition games, Collins wanted Bobby Parnell for the ninth yesterday. Parnell, who will start the season at closer if Frank Francisco (elbow) isn’t ready, worked around a hit and error for the save.
“Unfortunately I had [Parnell] wait around — I hate to do that with the older guys,” Collins said. “But I just think he needs to get used to it.”