PHILADELPHIA — Everything is peachy between Mike Pelfrey and Josh Thole.
That was manager Terry Collins’ assessment after yesterday meeting with both players, a day after Pelfrey surrendered seven runs in two-plus innings for the Mets against the Phillies. Pelfrey, who has a 15.63 ERA over two starts, later indicated he wasn’t pleased with Thole’s pitch selection but chastised himself for not shaking off the catcher enough.
Collins said pitch selection shouldn’t matter as much as location.
“I think it ultimately came down to Mike, he didn’t make the pitches he wanted to make, and he was mad because he didn’t make the pitches,” Collins said before the Mets’ 11-0 loss to the Phillies. “It’s human nature to say, ‘I wish I had done something else.’ ”
Pelfrey indicated he was unhappy with his reliance on his curveball and slider instead of his fastball and splitter.
“I told him we’ve got to move forward, we’ve just got to keep making quality pitches,” Collins said.
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Ronny Paulino‘s anemia is no longer a major concern, to the point the Mets have cleared the backup catcher to begin workouts. But it remains to be seen if Paulino will rejoin the team Sunday, after completing a suspension dating to last season, when he was suspended 50 games by MLB for failing a drug test. Paulino has been shut down from baseball activities for nearly two weeks, making it likely he will be placed on the disabled list.
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Jason Bay‘s rehab took a step forward in Port St. Lucie, with the injured outfielder hitting off a tee for the first time. Bay, recovering from a strained ribcage muscle, is eligible to be removed from the disabled list tomorrow, but the Mets will not activate him until he starts taking batting practice. Bay could also be asked to take at-bats in a rehab game before he rejoins the Mets.
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According to a club spokesman, the Mets have a “couple of hundred” tickets available for today’s home opener. The team is expecting a sellout by first pitch. The Mets’ official website yesterday listed numerous high-end tickets still available.
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Manny Acosta cleared waivers and was out-righted to Triple-A Buffalo.
