Mets give Perez another shot
Oliver Perez throws in the bullpen during today's spring training workout at Digital Domain stadium. (Feb. 18, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
JUPITER, Fla. - Oliver Perez was awarded a promotion of sorts when the Mets announced he will start Thursday's game against the Cardinals at Digital Domain Park.
Initially, Perez had been listed as the third pitcher, behind Chris Capuano and Boof Bonser. But after Wednesday's game, a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals, manager Terry Collins announced the swap, moving Perez up to the front of that line.
While the Mets have not officially squashed his chances for the rotation, Perez didn't help his long shot bid with a poor performance on Sunday against the Braves. Perez had a decent first inning - throwing nine strikes in 12 pitches - but suffered his usual control problems in the second, when he walked three straight and forced in a run.
Pitching coach Dan Warthen said he noticed "no difference" in Perez's side session Tuesday, when he threw some decent pitches. But Warthen could not determine Perez's velocity, which hovered in the 84-mph range Sunday. Collins will have to see significant improvement Thursday.
"As I told him Sunday, he's got to challenge the strike zone," Collins said. "Don't be afraid to go into the strike zone, change speeds, use your stuff and go after them."
And if Perez bombs again, will he get another shot?
"I'm quite sure he'll have another one, yes," Collins said.
Still no Paulino
The Ronnie Paulino saga continues with general manager Sandy Alderson hopeful that the backup catcher will make it to Port St. Lucie by the end of the coming weekend.
Of course, the Mets have been saying that since camp opened last month, when it was revealed that Paulino had been delayed by visa issues in the Dominican Republic. The Mets signed Paulino to a one-year, $1.35-million contract last December - with a catch. He'll miss the first eight games because of a PED suspension, and that is holding him up in the DR.
Extra bases
R.A. Dickey allowed a run over three innings and struck out Albert Pujols twice Wednesday in his first start since signing a two-year, $7.8-million contract . . . Collins said Daniel Murphy will start at second base against St. Louis as the second-base competition has yet to have a clear front-runner. "Unfortunately it may run later in camp than I wanted it to," Collins said.
