Angel Pagan is back in the starting lineup against a right-handed pitcher for the first time in a week as the Mets try to bounce back Friday from a series-opening loss to the Nationals.
The switch-hitting Pagan, who was battling what the team labeled spasms on his right side, batted against Matt Capps in the ninth inning Thursday -- his first time facing a right-handed pitcher in a week. His lone start during the past week had come in San Juan during the previous series, when the Florida Marlins started a left-hander, Nate Robertson. Pagan has found it easier to swing from the right side of the plate.
Meanwhile, Jose Reyes -- who also has an issue with his right side -- remains out of the lineup Friday. Jerry Manuel has targeted Saturday for the shortstop's return, but that's when the Mets face hard-throwing Stephen Strasburg, which may not be an ideal time to reintroduce Reyes to the lineup.
As for Pagan, Manuel has an interesting set of decisions upcoming. Carlos Beltran is due to play back-to-back nine-inning games in center field for Class St. Lucie this weekend. Manuel indicated Beltran then could be activated for Monday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field. If the Mets decide Beltran needs more time to prepare, he could be activated July 15 in San Francisco, right after the All-Star break.
Either way, Manuel will have to squeeze playing time for four outfielders into three slots. Jason Bay will continue to man left field except for sporadic rest, which will leave Beltran, Pagan and Jeff Francoeur sharing two starting jobs. Early on, Manuel can ease Beltran into the lineup and start each player two-thirds of the time.
Here's Friday's full lineup:
Angel Pagan, CF
Ruben Tejada, SS
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Rod Barajas, C
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Alex Cora, 2B
Jon Niese, LHP
The switch-hitting Pagan, who was battling what the team labeled spasms on his right side, batted against Matt Capps in the ninth inning Thursday -- his first time facing a right-handed pitcher in a week. His lone start during the past week had come in San Juan during the previous series, when the Florida Marlins started a left-hander, Nate Robertson. Pagan has found it easier to swing from the right side of the plate.
Meanwhile, Jose Reyes -- who also has an issue with his right side -- remains out of the lineup Friday. Jerry Manuel has targeted Saturday for the shortstop's return, but that's when the Mets face hard-throwing Stephen Strasburg, which may not be an ideal time to reintroduce Reyes to the lineup.
As for Pagan, Manuel has an interesting set of decisions upcoming. Carlos Beltran is due to play back-to-back nine-inning games in center field for Class St. Lucie this weekend. Manuel indicated Beltran then could be activated for Monday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field. If the Mets decide Beltran needs more time to prepare, he could be activated July 15 in San Francisco, right after the All-Star break.
Either way, Manuel will have to squeeze playing time for four outfielders into three slots. Jason Bay will continue to man left field except for sporadic rest, which will leave Beltran, Pagan and Jeff Francoeur sharing two starting jobs. Early on, Manuel can ease Beltran into the lineup and start each player two-thirds of the time.
Here's Friday's full lineup:
Angel Pagan, CF
Ruben Tejada, SS
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Rod Barajas, C
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Alex Cora, 2B
Jon Niese, LHP
Adam Rubin
ESPNNewYork.comAdam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rubin
Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
Andrew Marchand
Andrew Marchand is a senior writer for ESPNNewYork.com. He also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, ESPNews, 1050 ESPN New York and ESPN Radio. He joined ESPN in 2007 after nine years as a sports writer at the New York Post.
Mark Simon
Mark Simon is ESPN Stats & Information's Baseball Research Specialist. He's also one of several Mets historians working at ESPN and a co-host of the Baseball Today podcast. He joined ESPN in 2002 after 6 1/2 years as a sports writer at the Trenton Times.
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UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDG | 17-30 | 12-16 | 5-14 | L1 | |
| NYM | 25-21 | 13-9 | 12-12 | W1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDG | 17-30 | 12-16 | 5-14 | L1 | |
| NYM | 25-21 | 13-9 | 12-12 | W1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDG | 17-30 | 12-16 | 5-14 | L1 | |
| NYM | 25-21 | 13-9 | 12-12 | W1 |
TEAM LEADERS
| WINS LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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R.A. Dickey
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| BA | D. Wright | .397 | ||||||||||
| HR | D. Wright | 5 | ||||||||||
| RBI | D. Wright | 28 | ||||||||||
| R | D. Wright | 30 | ||||||||||
| OPS | D. Wright | 1.110 | ||||||||||
| ERA | J. Santana | 3.24 | ||||||||||
| SO | J. Santana | 53 | ||||||||||
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