Niese gets OK, will start Friday in Philadelphia
ATLANTA - With the Mets trying to decide between skipping Hisanori Takahashi or Jonathon Niese for this next turn through the rotation, it didn't seem to be much of a competition on paper. Takahashi was coming off Saturday's 10-strikeout performance and Niese looked tired Sunday in allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 14-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.
But manager Jerry Manuel and pitching coach Dan Warthen sat down with Niese before yesterday's series opener at Turner Field to get a read on their rookie lefthander. Satisfied that Niese is OK, Manuel chose to stay with him in the rotation - Niese will start Friday in Philadelphia - and the Mets will have the additional benefit of Takahashi's help in the bullpen, beginning Wednesday.
"It was more of whether or not it was in [Niese's] best interest to give him a break than to keep him going," Manuel said. "That was a big part of it. Dan and [Niese] had to convince me that he wasn't at this proverbial wall and that he was our best guy for that start. He said he feels great, not fatigued or anything of that nature."
As for that "wall," Niese threw a total of 119 innings last year before he had season-ending hamstring tendon surgery on Aug. 6. This year, Niese has logged 112 innings.
"I don't put much stock in the innings," Niese said. "I just had one bad start. I think I'm having a pretty good year."
With off days coming up on Thursday and Monday, the Mets have the flexibility of using Takahashi in the bullpen - or even as a spot starter if another pitcher should falter. One name that came up was Mike Pelfrey, who is 0-3 with a 9.59 ERA in the six starts since his last victory on June 25. Manuel suggested that Pelfrey could be in danger of being pulled if he doesn't perform.
"Yes he is," Manuel said. "And he will be told the same thing. We've got to take the shot at what we think is the best three, four or whatever and go from there. We're at the point with 50-something games left that we've got to as a staff try to figure out what's best for us to win those games."
Extra bases
After Niese, Johan Santana will start Saturday against the Phillies followed by R.A. Dickey on Sunday. The Mets could use Monday's off day to reassess the rotation . . . The Braves were gracious enough to wait until Friday to host "Tom Glavine Day" at Turner Field.
