In a surprising revelation, Gary Sheffield might return this season.
Last Sunday, manager Jerry Manuel said that Sheffield, who has been suffering from back spasms, was unlikely to come back this year.
“I would say he’s pretty close to being out,” Manuel said.
But Sheffield’s back apparently has improved. Though the 40-year-old hasn’t played since Aug. 28, he resumed batting practice yesterday and said that he felt OK. Sheffield said he would see how he feels today but could potentially play this weekend versus the Phillies. Manuel, for his part, said yesterday that Sheffield can return this year if there are no setbacks.
The Mets have 23 games remaining. Sheffield, who will be a free agent this winter, may be eager to return to boost his offseason value.
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Yesterday John Maine threw a simulated game at Citi Field without incident, saying that his injured right shoulder felt fine.
Maine is slated to pitch the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, which will mark his return from a three-month stay on the disabled list.
Maine made just one rehab start in the minors, pitching four innings for St. Lucie in high-A ball last Saturday. He guessed he might throw 60 pitches Sunday.
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As expected, Carlos Beltran was out of the lineup last night after playing the previous two games. The plan for the center fielder, who returned Tuesday from a right knee bone bruise that cost him nearly three months on the DL, was to play for two days then have a day off. It seems the Mets will try to extend Beltran to play three days in a row this weekend.
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Righty Tobi Stoner, who was recalled Tuesday, made his MLB debut last night, throwing a scoreless inning.