Last month, John Maine stood at his locker here at Nationals Park and reluctantly spoke about possibly filling in at closer for the injured Billy Wagner. But now Maine would gladly join the bullpen ranks, and he suggested yesterday that he might pitch in relief as soon as next week.
That seems to be a long shot. Maine was excited after playing catch yesterday, when he reported no discomfort in the back of his shoulder after 30 to 35 throws from 60 feet. Maine has been on the disabled list since Aug. 25 because of a bone spur in his right shoulder, and it was the first time he picked up a baseball since then.
"I hope to be back by the homestand," Maine said. "Whether it's an inning or two out of the pen, I just want to pitch. That's what I'm going to tell them."
Maine plans to play catch again today, but it's still a little early to be predicting a return date. The Mets believed there was a chance he could help them in the playoffs - if they get that far - and he's headed for surgery immediately after the season.
As for next year, with the Mets in the market for a closer, Maine said he'd listen if the team asked him to give it a shot.
"I want to start," Maine said. "But if they say something to me during the spring and they want me to do it, I'll try it."
Source:Newsday
This said, can be a experiment which many teams have tried before. Remember Adam Wainwright?
Original Story:
http://ddmetsfanblog.blogspot.com/200...
That seems to be a long shot. Maine was excited after playing catch yesterday, when he reported no discomfort in the back of his shoulder after 30 to 35 throws from 60 feet. Maine has been on the disabled list since Aug. 25 because of a bone spur in his right shoulder, and it was the first time he picked up a baseball since then.
"I hope to be back by the homestand," Maine said. "Whether it's an inning or two out of the pen, I just want to pitch. That's what I'm going to tell them."
Maine plans to play catch again today, but it's still a little early to be predicting a return date. The Mets believed there was a chance he could help them in the playoffs - if they get that far - and he's headed for surgery immediately after the season.
As for next year, with the Mets in the market for a closer, Maine said he'd listen if the team asked him to give it a shot.
"I want to start," Maine said. "But if they say something to me during the spring and they want me to do it, I'll try it."
Source:Newsday
This said, can be a experiment which many teams have tried before. Remember Adam Wainwright?
Original Story:
http://ddmetsfanblog.blogspot.com/200...
