Paulino eager to catch knuckleball
New York Mets catcher Ronny Paulino (9) throws to second base to start a double play in the top of the third inning against the San Francisco Giants. (May 5, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
Ronny Paulino is ready for the challenge of catching his first knuckleballer.
Well, he thinks he is.
"Let's see what happens in the game," Paulino said Saturday night about Sunday's assignment to catch R.A. Dickey against the Dodgers.
Manager Terry Collins said he wants Paulino's righthanded bat in the lineup vs. tough lefty Clayton Kershaw. But Paulino has never backstopped a knuckler at any level, other than Dickey's regular bullpen session Friday, which Paulino said went well.
"It's a challenge," Paulino said. "A great challenge. Practice is different, so let's see in a real game."
Said Collins: "Right now, he's catching. I think once they get back there and the game's going, you just react. It's more of a reaction thing than worrying about the stuff. That's why he's here . He's been catching him in the bullpen and he'll warm him up, which will also help."
Catching up
Collins said he saw improvement from No. 1 catcher Josh Thole, who was benched because of defensive problems before returning Friday.
"I thought he looked real good," he said. "I thought he blocked the ball well, thought he received the ball well . . . I think [Friday] night was a good step forward for him just to take a couple of days and relax a little and say 'Hey, I can do this, let's get back there and show 'em.' I thought he caught very well."
Trainer's room
Angel Pagan (oblique strain) will be out at least two more weeks, Collins estimated, after a setback Thursday and having an MRI on Friday . . . Bobby Parnell (numbness in finger) threw one inning in an extended spring-training game. Collins said he'd like to see Parnell begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon.
