DENVER — Though the Mets might feel differently when they are making a return trip to Colorado for one game later this season, manager Terry Collins was relieved Wednesday’s postponement at Coors Field won’t translate into a doubleheader Thursday.
The teams will play their scheduled 3:10 p.m. game and make up Wednesdday’s snowout on a date to be determined.
“It helps us,” Collins said. “It’s not going to help us a lot, but for us to leave after the game and get back to New York, we won’t have to get back at 5 a.m.”
Jon Niese will take his normal turn in the rotation today, with Matt Harvey still in place for tomorrow against Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals. Because there is no doubleheader, Collins will use Jeremy Hefner on Saturday instead of pitching Aaron Laffey on short rest. Dillon Gee would pitch on normal rest Sunday against the Nationals.
“I’m not saying they are going to pitch great, but I know one thing,” Collins said, “if you start disrupting your starting rotation, trying to slip in guys here and moving guys back, now you’re talking about seven days if you move Harvey back again, and I don’t think that is what you should do to your main guys.”
The Mets were swept in a doubleheader Tuesday after Monday’s game here was snowed out. This after the Mets had their Sunday game in Minnesota postponed by wintery conditions. That game is scheduled to be made up on Aug. 19.
* Jeurys Familia was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to give the Mets a fresh arm in the bullpen. Greg Burke was optioned to Las Vegas to clear a roster spot.
The 23-year-old Familia, who was among the Mets’ final cuts in spring training, did not allow an earned run in four appearances for Las Vegas.
“He’s throwing the ball real well and basically he’s one of those guys who gives us multiple innings if we need it,” Collins said.
* Harvey said facing Roy Halladay last week in Philadelphia was good preparation for the hype surrounding his scheduled start tomorrow against Strasburg at Citi Field.
“Obviously I’m new to all this stuff, but it’s an exciting time and I’m looking forward to it,” Harvey said. “The extra adrenaline is going to be there, and it’s one of those things where you have to tone down and take into focus. I’m looking forward to it.”