Mets' struggling Takahashi has to adjust

With Oliver Perez banished to Port St. Lucie, the clock on Hisanori Takahashi's stay in the rotation probably won't start until John Maine finally makes it to a rehab assignment, which could take another week. Maine is scheduled to pitch a batting-practice session before tonight's series opener against the Padres at Citi Field, and with Jerry Manuel still skeptical of him, the Mets aren't that eager to have Maine return to a starting role.

The two determining factors in that equation, however, are Takahashi and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Unlike Takahashi, Dickey has not shown the same recent cracks in his performance, which puts the pressure squarely on the Japanese rookie.

Since his 12 scoreless innings against the Yankees and Phillies, Takahashi has allowed a total of 14 hits and 11 runs in 9 1/3 innings.

The Mets insist that the problem with Takahashi is one of execution, not familiarity. But Padres hitting coach Randy Ready was predictably tight-lipped when asked about his team's success against Takahashi May 31 at PETCO Park - and that was the first time through the order.

Was it a case of Takahashi tipping his off-speed pitches? The Padres jumped on them in fastball counts, but Ready, smiling, said, "I'm not going to give up any of our information. You know better than that. I thought we just did a good job staying on his stuff."

Takahashi has five pitches he can throw at different speeds on both sides of the plate. He also has a delayed leg kick that often can mess with a hitter's timing, especially if he hasn't seen him before.

There's really no way to prepare for it. Padres catcher Nick Hundley had a pair of hits, including a two-run double. "It was getting the timing down," he said, "and try not to be too distracted by the leg kick."

Pitching coach Dan Warthen blamed Takahashi's problems that night on a "dead-arm" period, not unlike what pitchers experience in their third start of spring training, which is sort of what that was for him. He also is adjusting to a five-day rotation - rather than a six-day rotation in Japan - and a brief stretch without trainer Yoichi Terada, who had to return to Japan temporarily because of visa issues.

Terada is expected back for Takahashi's next start, which will be Saturday in Baltimore, and the Mets aren't too concerned about his struggles yet. But there is a question about his in-game adjustments, with teams batting .212 the first time through the lineup and .353 afterward. "I think what has to happen is possibly that third or second time through, there might have to be some changes in strategy that he uses to attack the hitters," Jerry Manuel said.

Takahashi understands the need to stay one step ahead of the scouting reports. "I know they do their homework," he said through an interpreter. "I just have to do a better job."

OF Feliciano called up. As expected, the Mets selected the contract of Jesus Feliciano from Triple-A Buffalo last night. He will join the team Tuesday night.