PHILADELPHIA — It’s just one more headache for the Mets.
Josh Thole became the second Mets starter in as many days placed on the disabled list, after an examination yesterday determined the catcher sustained a concussion during his home-plate collision with Ty Wigginton on Monday.
Because of the diagnosis, the Mets were allowed to place Thole on the seven-day disabled list specifically created for concussions. On Monday, they lost shortstop Ruben Tejada to the 15-day DL with a strained right quadriceps.
After the Mets’ 7-4 victory over the Phillies last night, general manager Sandy Alderson said Thole will need more than seven days before returning.
“He’s had other concussions and just based on the doctors’ evaluation he’s basically been consigned to no activity for a period of time,” Alderson said. “As a result I don’t think he’ll be back in seven days.”
Mike Nickeas, who went 0-for-3 last night, will assume the bulk of the catching duties with Thole sidelined. But the team called up Rob Johnson from Triple-A Buffalo yesterday, and he is expected to start tonight.
Thole sustained the concussion in the eighth inning Monday when Wigginton clobbered him with a left shoulder to the face on a tag play at home plate. Bobby Parnell had fielded a comebacker and threw to Thole, who got the out to keep the game at 2-2 but was rendered motionless for about two minutes after the collision. Thole later walked off the field and said he was experiencing dizziness.
“It was [scary] because that’s your buddy and teammate and him getting hit like that is never a good thing,” Nickeas said. “It is part of the game. I think [Wigginton] was trying to dislodge the ball and go in there hard. Wigginton was just playing hard and unfortunately he just caught Josh in a vulnerable spot.”
* Tejada was checked for a possible concussion — he returned to New York with Thole for an examination — but tests were negative. The Mets were concerned Tejada might have sustained a concussion when he did a face plant at first base on Sunday after straining his right quadriceps.