Pagan says he'll probably sit again Friday night
New York Mets' Angel Pagan watches his two-run single off Cleveland Indians pitcher Mitch Talbot in the sixth inning. (June 16, 2010) Credit: AP
In a case of "just in case," Angel Pagan said he probably will sit out Friday night after missing last night's game because of the muscle spasm in his side. He said it felt much better than it did Wednesday, when he tweaked it during batting practice, aggravated it during the game and had to be replaced.
"I think they're going to give me two days off,'' he said. "I'm just going to wait and see how it feels, see how it happens. It's nothing big. Hopefully, it's not more than two days."
Jesus Feliciano started in his place last night, playing centerfield and batting second, and likely will do so again Friday night against the Twins.
"I have no problem with him in centerfield,'' Jerry Manuel said. "I think he's a good top-of-the-order hitter. When a guy hits .380, .390 over a period of time in Triple-A, he's a pretty good hitter. I have no, no problems with his game at all."
In another case of "just in case," catcher Josh Thole was recalled from Buffalo, with the Mets sending down pitcher Raul Valdes. Thole has batted .318 since May 1, but it probably wasn't his hot streak that earned the promotion. Rod Barajas reported having a stiff back. Manuel said before the game that Barajas said he would be available in an emergency, but the club apparently wanted to be safe . . . John Maine, whose diagnosis of tendinitis was confirmed by a second medical opinion this week, will rehab in Florida, GM Omar Minaya said.
Reyes not a soccer guy
Few if any players in baseball are as skilled as Jose Reyes with their feet, so as players watched Japan score a World Cup upset over Denmark, it was only natural to ask if he was a soccer player. "We don't play soccer in the Dominican," Reyes said. "Just baseball, and a little basketball."
When it was suggested that he might have been good at "futbol," he said, with a laugh, "You think?"
