Mets pitcher Pedro Feliciano throws a bullpen session during a...

Mets pitcher Pedro Feliciano throws a bullpen session during a spring training workout at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2013) Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa

VIERA, Fla. -- Doctors in Minnesota diagnosed Pedro Feliciano with a rare genetic heart condition Thursday, though they cleared the Mets lefthander for all baseball activities so long as he wears a heart monitor for the next two weeks.

In a statement released by his agent, Melvin Roman, Feliciano said he's ready to return to the Mets. "I will attend [to] my ailment that was discovered during a routine checkup and not because of pain," Feliciano said. "But I can honestly say it will not keep me up at night."

According to his agent, doctors at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Clinic at Abbott Northwestern Hospital discovered that Feliciano has left ventricular noncompaction, a condition related to muscular structures in the heart. According to Roman, LIU Brooklyn basketball player Julian Boyd has competed with the same condition.

Manager Terry Collins said Feliciano, 36, will have the chance to push for a job as a lefty specialist. Said Collins: "We have plenty of time to get him ready."

 

Montero shows stuff

Pitching prospect Rafael Montero allowed a run on three hits in two innings Thursday night against the Nationals. The game ended in a 4-4 tie after 10 innings. Montero, 22, went 11-5 with a 2.36 ERA last season at Class A Savannah and St. Lucie.

 

Wright's final fling

Collins is honoring David Wright's request to play third base Friday against Detroit before he leaves for the WBC Saturday.

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