Mets' bullpen just fine without K-Rod
New York Mets relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (75) throws in the bottom of the ninth inning against the New York Yankees. (June 18, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
As if the last month of altercations, apologies and arraignments haven't been bad enough for Francisco Rodriguez, now he's faced with another blow: the Mets bullpen has been just fine without him.
The troubled closer last pitched Aug. 14, before having season ending surgery to fix a torn ligament in his right thumb - allegedly sustained during a fight with his fiancé's father. Since then, the bullpen is 3-0 with eight saves and a 2.79 ERA. Since taking over the ninth inning, Hisanori Takahashi is 2-0 with seven saves. He's allowed 10 hits, three walks and one run in 15 innings.
Torre talk doesn't bother Manuel
When Joe Torre announced on Friday that he would step down as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of the season, some speculation linked the former Yankees skipper to the likely open managerial spot in Flushing next year. "That's just part of life in New York," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "You expect to hear that or be around that. And he and me, I don't compare to Joe Torre, you know what I'm saying? Let's be real. But that's all part of it."
