PORT ST. LUCIE – John Maine gives himself a big, fat “F” so far this spring.
Always his own worst critic, the Mets’ young right-hander was practically despondent yesterday after struggling through two ugly innings against Team Italy, prepping for the World Baseball Classic.
Maine’s comeback from Sept. 1 surgery to shave down a bone spur in his right shoulder isn’t going well, at least according to Maine.
“I just don’t feel good out there,” he said of his effort in the Mets’ come-from-behind 3-2 exhibition win. “I don’t feel comfortable. I’m trying to do something mechanically every pitch, and nothing’s working. I just feel terrible out there.”
Maine wobbled from the outset yesterday, walking the bases loaded in the first inning. He miraculously got out of trouble with a liner and a pair of strikeouts, but that didn’t make Maine feel any better about himself.
His frustration grew in the second inning, when Maine allowed two singles and was about to give up a run until left fielder Marlon Anderson threw out Italian catcher Vinny Rottino at the plate.
“If it’s not one thing when I’m trying to do something on the mound, it’s the other,” Maine said. “I’m trying to get back to my normal form, but it’s been really hard for me this year. It’s not working yet.”
Maine, though, said he doesn’t think the problems – most of which appear to involve the placement of his fastball – will keep him from starting the regular season on time.
“Gradually, my arm’s feeling stronger every day, and that’s the only thing I’m worried about,” he said. “It’s a mechanics thing. I’m thinking way too much, and it’s a frustrating thing.”
Jerry Manuel, on the other hand, was preaching patience – something Maine appears to have in very short supply.
As long as Maine is healthy, which appears to be the case, then the Mets’ manager isn’t going to panic. After all, Manuel has bigger things to worry about in the pitching department with Johan Santana’s left elbow and the continuing absence of a clear-cut No. 5 starter.
“I think John is still getting acclimated with the mound and with pitching,” Manuel said when told of Maine’s rant. “The main thing with him is that he’s healthy, and that’s really big for us. I’m not too concerned with him.”
Manuel doesn’t see Maine being that far away from the pitcher who won 25 games combined the past two seasons.
“At some point, he’ll have enough of this behind him where we can expect a little more consistency in the strike zone,” Manuel said. “He’s missing, but not by much. He’ll find an ability to get back in the strike zone more consistently.”
Maine can’t understand why that process is taking so long for his perfectionist self.
“Whether it’s an intrasquad game or a playoff game, I don’t like going out there and doing bad,” he said. “It’s frustrating. Every time I go out there I want to pitch well and I want to win.”
bhubbuch@nypost.com
Mets 3 Team Italy 2