MLB

Mets’ Thole mired in troubling catch phase

Josh Thole has not found the groove he would like at the plate, but his main concern right now is defense.

“I don’t like struggling offensively, but everyone makes out,” Thole said. “When you’re catching, you’re the only guy chasing balls to the backstop.”

Thole already has allowed seven passed balls this season, after just four last year.

“Sometimes the speed of the game gets me out of my rhythm and I don’t feel comfortable,” Thole said. “Sometimes it gets into my mind and my glove gets hard and I just have to relax. That’s the only way to fix it. But when you botch two balls in a row, it’s hard to get back to that.”

PHOTOS: METS IN APRIL

Thole’s struggles were especially glaring after Ronny Paulino had five hits in his first start with the Mets on Sunday — including the game-winning double in the 14th inning of a 2-1 win over the Phillies.

Paulino also threw out a runner trying to steal second, something Thole has had a hard time with. After Thole threw out 44 percent of potential base stealers in 2010, that number has dropped to 17 percent this year.

“I’m not concerned about that,” bullpen coach Jon Debus said. “He’s just going through a hard time right now, and some of that’s not on him. Sometimes guys get too good a jump off the pitchers. It’ll come.”

Thole also is less worried about his throwing.

“That comes and goes,” Thole said. “I have to keep working on it. . . . It’s a work in progress. This is my fourth full year catching and it’s frustrating to see guys running. Ultimately, that’s on me, and I know what I have to do to get it back. I don’t need someone to tell me.”

* Angel Pagan took a step toward returning from his oblique injury yesterday, playing five innings and getting five plate appearances in an extended spring game in Port St. Lucie — his first game action since he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk.

Pagan struggled in the early part of the season, hitting just .159 in 19 games, but his absence from the lineup has been felt.

* The Mets donated 4,000 tickets to military members and their families for tonight’s game against the Giants at Citi Field. In a partnership with the USO, the Mets gave 2,000 tickets to members of all five military branches, and 2,000 more will be available to military personnel who show a valid military ID and their guests (up to five) at the day-of-game ticket sales window.