Jerry Manuel’s beleaguered bullpen has one more option.
After John Maine survived a side session yesterday with no further complications, the Mets activated the right-hander from the disabled list and had him available to pitch against the Cubs last night, though he wasn’t used.
“I don’t know what he can give me, but my big concern with him is health,” Manuel said before the Mets’ 9-6 loss in 10 innings. “It would be a good thing if he could be pain-free somewhat. I don’t like the fact that he might have pain and still try to pitch through that.”
Even so, the Mets will take the chance, hoping Maine can provide them with a dependable option in later innings. Maine has not pitched since he was put on the DL with a bone spur in his right shoulder on Aug. 25.
GM Omar Minaya said Maine is throwing his fastball in the low 90s and would be considered for a postseason roster spot.
*
Luis Castillo needed a break from the boos. That was part of Manuel’s reasoning for benching the struggling second baseman last night.
“I wanted to give him a break from kind of what he’s going through,” Manuel said.
Castillo, who grounded out as a pinch hitter in the 10th inning last night, is in a 4-for-36 (.111) funk since Sept. 1. Argenis Reyes made the start at second.
*
Manuel admitted his options are limited if the decision is reached to skip Jon Niese‘s spot in the rotation on Saturday – Brandon Knight and Nelson Figueroa – are the other possibilities to pitch that day against the Marlins.
Meanwhile, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez yesterday said he plans to play his regulars this weekend against the Mets.
Last year, the Mets dropped two of three games to the last-place Marlins on the regular season’s final weekend to complete a historic collapse.
*
Presented with the scenario of having the wild card locked up by Sunday and a shot at the NL East title with a victory that day, Manuel was noncommittal on the possibility of starting Johan Santana.
“That’s a good question,” Manuel said. “I hope I have that option.”
Ideally, the Mets want Santana to pitch Game 1 of the NLDS on Wednesday, but that would not be an option if he started Sunday against Florida. The NL East title comes with home field for the NLDS, while a wild-card berth means opening on the road.
