Elvin Ramirez wasn’t on the Mets’ radar much when the season began, but lately he has been hard to miss.
The 24-year-old reliever was selected from Triple-A Buffalo yesterday and should be prepared to pitch significant innings for the Mets, who are desperate for late-inning help.
All Ramirez did in 11 appearances at Buffalo was post a 0.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts and one walk. Those kinds of numbers warrant a shot protecting a lead, not simply a mop-up role.
“You want to get him in there when he’s hot, while he’s throwing so well,” manager Terry Collins said before the Mets opened a four-game series against the Cardinals.
The Mets lost Ramirez to the Nationals in the Rule 5 draft following the 2010 season, but the right-hander never threw a pitch for Washington. He had shoulder surgery last year and was subsequently returned to the Mets.
Now the Mets are hoping they have discovered a diamond in the rough.
“I think I am ready for this and whenever they give me the chance, I’m going to do what I have to do,” Ramirez said.
He was asked if he has become a different pitcher since the shoulder surgery.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “In the beginning after the surgery it was kind of weird, but I’ve been working hard to get my stuff and I think I’ve got it.”
* Josh Thole was activated from the disabled list and returned to the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining a concussion on May 7. Rob Johnson was optioned to Buffalo, leaving Mike Nickeas as the backup catcher. … Chris Schwinden was designated for assignment to create roster space for Ramirez.
* Chris Young, Jeremy Hefner and Miguel Batista are all candidates to start Monday’s game against the Cardinals. Young, in his comeback from shoulder surgery, dazzled with six shutout innings for Buffalo on Thursday. Hefner will be on call to start today’s game if the weather gets too wet because Collins does not want R.A. Dickey pitching in the rain. Dickey has struggled to grip his knuckleball in wet weather.
* Ruben Tejada is scheduled to run the bases today and could begin a minor league rehab assignment by Monday. … Jason Bay could begin playing the field by Monday in Port St. Lucie, putting him in position to be activated by the Mets next week.