Johan Santana could be just warming up.
That was manager Jerry Manuel’s suggestion after watching his ace left-hander allow four runs for a third straight start in the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Yankees on Sunday.
“What you will see is he’s been a historically second-half pitcher,” Manuel said. “I’m just looking forward to his second half — and I’ll take what he’s been giving now, too.”
Santana’s career numbers support Manuel’s claim.
Though the lefty’s ERA jumped to 3.31 with his performance Sunday, that is still below Santana’s career ERA before the All-Star break. Santana (who was not a fulltime starter until his fifth season in the majors) is 66-45 with a 3.42 ERA lifetime in 195 appearances (143 starts) before the All-Star break and 61-19 with a 2.73 ERA in 130 games (106 starts) in the season’s second half.
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With the Mets back home after nine straight games in AL ballparks, Chris Carter will return to the bench. In seven starts at designated hitter, Carter batted .192 with two homers and six RBIs.
Manuel said he may look to get Carter a start in the outfield this week to get him at-bats.
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The Mets are in the process of evaluating John Maine‘s throwing shoulder, but had no update on the righty yesterday.
Maine had discomfort after his start for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. If Maine suffered a physical setback, it could reset the clock on the time the Mets have to make a decision on whether he will return to the club.
Manuel has said there is no room for Maine in the rotation and the organization doesn’t view him as a reliever.
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Carlos Beltran worked out independently in Port St. Lucie. He is expected to participate in a simulated game today.
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Jason Bay whispered in Jeff Francoeur‘s direction as Bay departed the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. It turned out Bay needed a loan of sorts.
“The guy is making $16 million a year and he needs me to leave his clubhouse tips,” Francoeur said.
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Jose Reyes went 0-for-4 on Sunday to end his hitting streak at 11 games. Reyes batted .438 during the streak with four homers and seven RBIs.