Mets recall Vinny Rottino
Vinny Rottino #30 of the New York Mets bats during a preseason game against the Washington Nationals at Digital Domain Park. (March 5, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
The Mets recalled catcher/outfielder Vinny Rottino from Triple-A Buffalo and started him at first base. It was Rottino's first major-league start at the position and only his second appearance. The first came Sept. 5, 2007, when he was with Milwaukee.
Rottino, 32, was with the Mets from May 4-11 and went 0-for-4 in three games. He started one game in leftfield. Rottino is from Racine, Wis., but his father is from the Bronx.
With catcher Rob Johnson nursing a sore thumb, Collins said the Mets would be more likely to use Rottino behind the plate than during his first stint with the big club. Rottino caught two games in a row at Buffalo after Collins asked general manager Sandy Alderson to have Buffalo manager Wally Backman give him more time at the position.
Pitcher Chris Schwinden was returned to Buffalo after spending a day with the Mets as insurance.
As expected, the Mets named rookie Jeremy Hefner as the starting pitcher for Thursday's game against San Diego. He replaces the injured Miguel Batista.
