MET NOTES
Although Benny Agbayani again wasn’t ready to play last night, he says there is no reason to believe he will miss the postseason.
However GM Steve Phillips thinks Agbayani could be “right on the edge” of being healthy for the playoffs, which will start the middle of next week for the Mets.
Last night was the third game Agbayani’s missed because of the pulled right hamstring.
“I think it will be [ready],” Agbayani said of the playoffs. “I have more time to work out. I can work out the whole day so I’m not concerned about that.”
Phillips thinks Agbayani will be ready but isn’t as positive as the outfielder is.
“Slightly concerned,” Phillips said of state of his of mind on Agbayani’s availability. “He is progressing. He is going to be right on the edge of being ready to go come postseason.”
Agbayani appeared more optimistic last night than he had over the weekend.
“I know my body and I know how it feels,” Agbayani said. “When I’ve pulled it before, I knew it would take some time in the past.”
Agbayani said this hamstring will be easier for him to rehab because the problem’s not as high up in the leg as his past injuries.
“I’ll be ready,” Agabayani said.
Agbayani hurt the hamstring slipping on home plate at Veterans Stadium.
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The Giants are the Mets’ most likely playoff opponent as the wild-card. Heading into last night, the Giants owned a two-game lead over the Cardinals for the best record in the NL.
However, the Cardinals really owned a three-game advantage because if the two teams tied, the Giants own the tiebreaker, having beaten St. Louis 5-4 in the season series.
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Phillips was cautious on the subject of whether the Mets will go with 11 or 10 pitchers for the postseason. These are the Mets’ two options.
Barring an injury, it will come down to whether the Mets keep Pat Mahomes on the 25-man roster or not. Mahomes’ value is as a long man if a starter falters. However with Glendon Rusch or the righty Bobby Jones in the pen, they might not think they need him.
The Mets are also undecided on whom will start Game 1. They should be able to go with Mike Hampton or Al Leiter.
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Although it has been long stated that B.J. Surhoff wouldn’t come to the Mets because he felt that the Phillips treated him poorly, Phillips has maintained this untrue.
The two were seen talking amicably outside the Mets’ clubhouse before last night’s game. Surhoff thanked Phillips, because the Mets donated some money to Surhoff’s autism foundation. Earlier this season, Surhoff was forced to miss a fundraising dinner because a rained-out game when Surhoff was an Oriole was resecheduled for an off-day.
