The Mets had a new pitcher in the bullpen popping fastballs yesterday, but Eddie Kunz was only here to visit.
The next time Kunz comes to Shea Stadium it will likely be as a player for the home team. Kunz, whom the Mets signed yesterday – the right-hander was the team’s first selection (42nd overall) in the 2007 draft – intended to watch last night’s 8-4 win over the Pirates then depart for Port St. Lucie, Fla., to begin workouts.
A former closer at Oregon State, where he was part of consecutive national championship teams, Kunz will be groomed as a reliever. GM Omar Minaya said it’s possible that Kunz will be used as a closer in the minors, but that decision hasn’t been made yet.
“I can do just about anything,” Kunz said, noting he throws a fastball, slider and changeup.
Minaya said the 6-foot-5 Kunz will begin with the Gulf Coast League Mets and likely be moved to Single-A Brooklyn before the season concludes.
“When we drafted him, we saw a young man of good size, good arm strength, good sink, with the ability to throw pitches for strikes,” Minaya said. “If you have that, we felt he could be effective.”
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Minaya said he expects Pedro Martinez to throw at least one more simulated game before pitching in the minor leagues.
The GM indicated Martinez has felt good, but the Mets are playing it cautious in the right-hander’s comeback, keeping him in check so not to overextend him too soon. Minaya expects to see Martinez pitching for the Mets at some point in August.
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Damion Easley was activated from the bereavement list yesterday and Chip Ambres was designated for assignment. Easley’s father Raymond died Saturday after a long illness. Easley left the Mets earlier in the week to spend time with his father.
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With Barry Bonds bearing down on Hank Aaron‘s record, many observers already are giving Bonds just temporary access to it, with the thought that Alex Rodriguez likely will hit even more.
But there’s a very real chance that Tom Glavine, with two more victories, may just be the last pitcher to ever win 300 games.
“I’m not going to lie to you and say I hope they happen on the same day,” said Glavine, who goes for No. 299 tonight against the Pirates at Shea, while Bonds remains two shy of Aaron’s 755 in San Francisco. “I’m aware of what Barry’s doing. It’s hard not to pay some kind of attention to it.”
Additional reporting by Dan Martin