SAN FRANCISCO – Joe McEwing’s leg is broken and his season finished. And there could be even more damage coming to the Mets from Major League Baseball as a result of Thursday’s temper-flaring contest.
MLB disciplinary czar Bob Watson told the Post yesterday that his office is looking into the matter to determine if anyone on either team will be punished.
“We’re investigating and that’s all I’ll say at this point in time,” Watson said. “We’re looking into it.”
Watson did not specify names, but the strongest Met candidate for discipline would be closer Braden Looper, who drilled J.D. Closser on the right leg in retaliation for the Colorado catcher’s vicious takeout slide of McEwing at second base.
Closser could also face a punishment, though whether suspensions are possible for anybody is unknown.
“I won’t even go there,” Watson said.
Looper said he’s unsure if he’ll be punished, saying, “I have no idea. To be honest, I don’t know how it works. I’ve never been thrown out of a game.”
But Art Howe emphatically made his case for his closer to avoid discipline, saying, “I think it’s a joke if he is. He certainly didn’t throw at [Closser’s] head or up where he could hurt anybody. He was just throwing inside.”
As for McEwing, he has a broken left fibula and is out 6-to-8 weeks. Since he was placed on the 60-day DL, he has no chance of returning this season. Fortunately for the utility player, an MRI on his left ankle revealed no further damage.
“I’m a big believer in ‘Play hard and go get ’em,’ ” McEwing said of Closser’s controversial slide. “Breaking up a double play is fine. But where he got me, he got me right below my knee. I pretty much stopped him. I haven’t seen the replay yet and I don’t care to.”
Although Looper may end up being punished for it, Howe said the pitcher’s retaliation “made points with his teammates and his manager.” McEwing was particularly appreciative, clearly touched by his teammate backing him up.
“That means the most, the support of your teammates,” McEwing said. “You go to war with these guys every day. It was much appreciated.”
