PORT ST. LUCIE – David Cone won’t experience the Opening Day pageantry at Shea Stadium, but he may get the next best thing: an improbable return to the major leagues four days later.
Mets officials couched their decision in the most tentative of terms yesterday, but Cone will likely start a week from tonight against Montreal.
The self-described “old warhorse” will return to the place where he emerged as an ace, provided that an intrasquad start on Sunday and a side session on Tuesday go off without a hitch in Florida.
Cone’s feel-good comeback was undoubtedly the story of the spring in Mets camp, and the 40-year-old finally allowed himself to revel in the remarkable journey.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “I was a self-proclaimed longshot coming in, but I think everyone probably gave me even longer odds than that. Almost a no-shot.
“To have this chance right now is tremendously exciting.”
Although the Mets’ decision-makers recognized Cone’s dominance in the Grapefruit League, they remain concerned that he is not as stretched out as their other starters. Thus, the plan is for him to remain here and throw 75-100 pitches and six innings or so on Sunday in a minor-league intrasquad game.
Special assistant Bruce Benedict and roving pitching instructor Al Jackson will watch the outing. If Cone feels well, he will then throw a side session on Tuesday and be added to the roster before Friday’s start.
“We want him to get through Sunday and we’ll make a decision,” GM Steve Phillips said. “We’ll make an announcement in advance for fans to buy tickets.”
The only down side to the schedule is that Cone will miss Opening Day in Flushing on Monday.
“I’ll be watching, I certainly will,” Cone said.
For now, it looks like Cone will be the team’s No. 4 starter. Once Pedro Astacio comes off the DL, Cone will be the fifth starter provided he continues to pitch well. Cone compiled a 4.40 ERA over 141/3 innings this spring and was brilliant in Florida, allowing only one earned run over 12 frames.
His hiccup came in Mexico City.
The Mets’ brass made most of their other roster decisions, reassigning first baseman Jorge Toca to minor-league camp and informing first baseman/outfielder Tony Clark that he will begin the year in Triple A Norfolk.
Third-string catcher Jason Phillips will be recalled in the place of a yet-to-be-determined DLed pitcher. Clark, a non-roster invitee who signed a minor-league contract, will start in Norfolk until Mike Piazza serves his five-game suspension.
Piazza’s appeal will be heard following the Opening Day game against the Cubs on March 31. Piazza could get a game shaved off, so Clark could join the club by the weekend.
The Mets still need another starter due to Astacio’s imminent trip to the DL, but manager Art Howe said they haven’t decided whether lefty Michael Bacsik or righty Jae Seo will start a week from Sunday against the Expos.
Bacsik threw two scoreless innings of relief against the Orioles yesterday before rain washed the game out. He and Seo – who will start Saturday’s exhibition game at Shea – were told to be ready to pitch in relief on Monday and Wednesday.
