It’s too early to call it a scare, but the Mets are dealing with their rotation’s first health concern of the season.
Mike Pelfrey underwent an MRI exam Monday because of tightness he experienced in his right shoulder before and after Saturday’s start against the Phillies.
The test revealed no structural damage, according to the Mets. Pelfrey, who has been diagnosed with general shoulder tightness, will make his next scheduled start, Friday against the Giants at Citi Field.
Pelfrey said he first felt the tightness while warming up in the bullpen Saturday, but the shoulder eventually loosened for the game. When the discomfort returned Sunday, the team’s medical staff sent him back to New York for evaluation.
“We were close to New York, and for peace of mind I went and it came back great,” Pelfrey said before the Mets opened a three-game series against the Reds at Great American Ballpark.
Pelfrey is scheduled to throw a side session Tuesday, and Jerry Manuel said he doesn’t expect to put any restrictions on Pelfrey for his next start.
“Business as usual,” Manuel said.
Saturday, the right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 27 consecutive innings before coming unhinged in the fourth, when the Phillies scored six runs. Pelfrey took his first loss of the season.
“The next day I came back and [the shoulder] was a little sore, but I’ll be fine,” Pelfrey said. “I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
Even so, the letters MRI are no friend of the Mets, especially after last year’s injury problems. In the rotation alone, Johan Santana, Oliver Perez, John Maine and Jon Niese missed significant time with injuries. Pelfrey was the only starting pitcher to remain healthy for the entire season.
Now the Mets will monitor Pelfrey, whose 2.40 ERA is tops among Mets’ starters.
“I’ll be able to make my next start and the next 25 starts after that,” Pelfrey said. “So it’s not a big deal at all.”