CLEVELAND — Jason Bay wanted in the lineup last night, but lost his case.
Just wanting to play it safe, Mets manager Jerry Manuel gave Bay a rest, a night after the left fielder sustained a bruised left quadriceps muscle in a collision at first base with Cleveland’s Andy Marte.
Jesus Feliciano (1-for-3) started in left field during the Mets’ 6-4 victory last night, but Bay is expected back in the starting lineup tonight, according to Manuel.
“[Bay] fought pretty hard, but we felt with the plane ride and him kind of banging it up a little bit, we thought it might be best to get it cleared up,” Manuel said.
Bay broached the idea with Manuel of starting at designated hitter, but neither thought it was a particularly good idea.
“[DH] was probably a worse idea,” Bay said. “Just the sitting around for 45 minutes and then sprinting and sitting down.”
*
Hisanori Takahashi dazzled in his last start against the Yankees, pitching six shutout innings. The lefty has since incurred his ups and downs, but Manuel isn’t worried about Takahashi facing the Yankees for a second time.
“I think Takahashi is clever, instinctive enough to if you make an adjustment he has other things he can go to and try to keep you off stride,” Manuel said. “That will be kind of the challenge for him and the Yankees: Who makes the adjustments?”
Takahashi allowed one run over seven innings in a victory at Baltimore on Saturday.
*
John Maine is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo tonight, but Manuel expects the right-hander to need an additional appearance in the minors before rejoining the team. Maine threw 63 pitches for Double-A Trenton on Sunday in his comeback from right shoulder weakness.
*
Jenrry Mejia ineffectiveness on Wednesday — he walked the only two batters he faced the eighth inning — could have been caused by a headache. Manuel said the right-hander was bothered by a headache as he warmed up.
*
Carlos Beltran played five innings in center field in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie.