May 19, 2009, New York Mets' starting rotation story for Metro (NY) Newspaper
Pitching in
Delgado to have surgery on right hip; more pressure placed on Mets’ rotation
What they’ll miss in the box, they’ll have to make up for on the mound.
Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado will undergo surgery today to repair a torn labrum and a bone spur in his right hip. The team has no timetable for Delgado’s return, although it could be until at least the All-Star break.
Delgado, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, is hitting .298 with four home runs and 23 RBIs. He hasn’t played since May 10. Fernando Tatis replaced him at first base last night against the Dodgers. That game ended too late for this edition.
The lineup loses a power swing without Delgado, but its the Mets’ rotation that could feel the bulk of the pressure. Less power from the offense means the starting rotation must continue its promising start.
The Mets’ starters are 16-9 with a 4.51 ERA through 37 games. Only the Reds’ starters have more wins this season in the National League. The Mets’ rotation went 15-12 and 15-9 in the same time span the last two seasons, respectively. The group was 8-0 this month before Mike Pelfrey’s loss on Sunday night.
“It’s always a competition. We all want to pitch well, obviously,” said John Maine. “We want to pitch well individually, but we want to pitch well for the team to keep us in it.
“There’s only five of us. It’s always good to go out and try to match if the guy did well the night before.”
It’s a daily battle considering an average night for the Mets’ starter consists of six innings. That’s impressive for any rotation.
“The beginning of the year, obviously you’ve got to watch your pitch count. Jerry [Manuel] lets us go,” Maine said. “He lets us try to go that extra inning to see if we can do it. I like that. It saves the bullpen a little bit and gives us a chance to win the game.”
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 9:30 AM
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