The Mets plan to summon Triple-A right-handed reliever David Aardsma in time for this afternoon’s game against the Marlins, a source told The Post.
The 31-year-old Aardsma appeared in eight games for Las Vegas, posting a 1.12 ERA with three saves. He has allowed only three hits in eight innings while striking out 11 and issuing seven walks.
It’s believed the Mets may deploy Aardsma — a former closer who posted 38 saves in 2009 and 31 saves in 2010 with the Mariners — as Bobby Parnell’s eighth-inning set-up man. Brandon Lyon has primarily been handling the eighth inning, recording a 3.52 ERA in 26 games this season.
Aardsma missed the 2011 campaign due to Tommy John surgery before returning to the majors for one inning last Sept. 27 with the Yankees. That’s the only major league appearance Aardsma has had since Sept. 19, 2010.
The Yankees designated Aardsma for assignment at the end of March, and he signed with the Marlins on April 13, pitching 10 games for their Triple-A affiliate. Miami released him on May 15, and the Mets signed him on May 20.
It would make sense for the Mets to demote righty Collin McHugh to make room for Aardsma. With Jonathon Niese slated to return from his one-start hiatus tomorrow, McHugh — who started for Niese last Saturday — looks to be the odd man out.
* With last night’s second straight rainout, Matt Harvey will pitch today against Marlins righty Jose Fernandez. Tomorrow will be Niese, who last pitched on May 27 due to left shoulder tendinitis, against right-hander Tom Koehler.
It’s unknown when Shaun Marcum, who was slated to pitch Thursday in Washington, will start again. The Mets are off on Monday.
* Last night’s game will now be part of a single-admission doubleheader on Sept. 14, beginning at 4:10 pm. Fans who had tickets for last night’s game or who have tickets for the Sept. 14 game will be admitted for both ends of the doubleheader (for those with tickets from last night, it’s subject to availability).
Further ticket info can be found on Mets.com or by calling 718-507-TIXX.
* John Buck enters today in the midst of a horrible offensive rut. In the catcher’s last 25 games, he’s batting .169 (15-for-89) with one homer, 30 strikeouts (more than one every three at-bats) and a .477 OPS.
The Mets will have to continue to play Buck because prospect Travis d’Arnaud remains sidelined with a broken left foot. In his first 25 games this season, Buck hit .263 with 10 homers, 29 RBIs and a .905 OPS.
* The Mets selected nine players in rounds 3-10 of the MLB Draft yesterday, and four of the nine were outfielders. With their first of two third-round picks, the club grabbed high-schooler Ivan Wilson from Ruston, La., but the other three outfielders selected were all collegians — Jared King (fifth round, Kansas State), Champ Stuart (sixth round, Brevard) and Patrick Biondi (ninth round, Michigan). Mets director of amateur scouting Tommy Tanous called Stuart “probably the fastest player in the draft.”