Collins: Pelf's OK -- at least physically
New York Mets' Mike Pelfrey laughs with David Wright after flubbing a pitch to the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Citi Field in New York. (Aug. 8, 2011) Credit: John Dunn
PHOENIX -- The question posed to Terry Collins before Sunday's series finale against Arizona seemed simple enough. But given Mike Pelfrey's last 24 hours, the manager had reason to ask for clarification.
The question: Is Pelfrey OK?
"How do you mean that?" Collins said, drawing some laughter. "Physically he's fine."
Collins will take that for now, and he was confident that Pelfrey will remain on track for Friday's start against the Brewers at Citi Field.
Pelfrey still had the remnants of a bruise on his right elbow, where he was drilled by Gerardo Parra's line drive Saturday night. But the pitcher flapped his right arm to show full flexibility in the joint. He reported no swelling, thanks in part to a medicated patch he wore on the area overnight to combat those symptoms.
"It feels great," Pelfrey said, then motioned as if he were about to do some arm curls. He was kidding, of course. And given the minor ruckus he caused before Saturday's start -- thanks to his "misinterpreted" comments about the Mets' chances going into this season -- Collins joked that he couldn't vouch for his mental state when asked if Pelfrey was emotionally OK. "I'm not sure," Collins said, playing along. "I can't answer that. I didn't check on that one. I'm more worried about his elbow than anything else."
No way, Jose
Despite the diagnosis of a "mild" left hamstring strain, Jose Reyes is not expected to return from the disabled list Aug. 23, the first day he is eligible to do so. Reyes has remained in New York to continue rehab at his facility in Long Island and Collins said he could begin limited baseball activity as early as Monday.
"I know that when we left, he was going to take three days to rest," Collins said.
Late night with Nimmo
The Mets have until midnight Monday to sign first-round pick Brandon Nimmo, who already had given a verbal commitment to Arkansas before the June draft. Typically, these negotiations go down to the wire, and team officials are confident that a deal will get done late Monday.
