Mets' Angel Pagan Back In Lineup Friday
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The Mets are getting a key player back against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Angel Pagan will rejoin the team Friday.
"It looks like he is swinging good," Collins said on Thursday. "There is no hesitancy in his swing at all."
Pagan, on the disabled list since April 22 with a strained muscle on his left side, was scheduled to play Thursday night for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. The game was rained out, but general manager Sandy Alderson said the outfielder would "probably return anyway."
"I'm anxious to get there and contribute to the team," Pagan said. "If they ask me, I'd rather go and play in New York (Friday)."
Youngster Fernando Martinez was sent down to Buffalo.
"I think (Martinez) is one of our top prospects in the organization," said Collins. "To have him sitting on the end of the bench, I don't think benefits him or us."
From the Mets:
FLUSHING, N.Y., May 27, 2011 – The New York Mets today announced the team has reinstated outfielder Angel Pagan from the 15-Day Disabled List and has selected the contract of righthanded pitcher Dale Thayer from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League. To make room on the active roster for Pagan and Thayer, the Mets have optioned outfielder Fernando Martinez to Buffalo and have designated lefthanded pitcher Pat Misch for assignment. Thayer will wear #46 and will be available for tonight's game.
Pagan, 29, hit .159 (11-69) in 19 games with the Mets before the team placed him on the 15-Day Disabled List on April 22 with a strained left oblique. The switch-hitting outfielder appeared in eight games with St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League during his major league rehabilitation assignment and hit .226 (7-31) with one home run and two RBI.
Thayer, 30, pitched in 20 games with the Bisons prior to his selection, compiling a 2-0 record with four saves, a 2.05 ERA (six earned runs/26.1 innings) and 25 strikeouts. The 6-0, 180-pound native of Fountain Valley, CA, made one appearance for Tampa Bay last season and allowed six earned runs in 2.0 innings (27.00 ERA). He pitched in 11 games out of the Rays bullpen in 2009, recording his only career save and compiling a 4.61 ERA (seven earned runs/13.2 innings). For his career, he has not recorded a decision and has a 7.47 ERA (13 earned runs/15.2 innings) in 12 major league games.
Martinez, 22, appeared in nine games with the Mets and hit .250 (5-20) with a home run and two RBI after the team recalled him on May 12 from Buffalo.
Misch, 29, made six relief appearances out of the bullpen for the Mets, winning his only decision and pitching to a 10.29 ERA (eight earned runs/7.0 innings).
