Aug 26, 2008 - 11:24 AM
0 shoutsMELVILLE, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets reportedly are prepared to throw 21-year-old pitching prospect Jon Niese into the thick of a pennant pace.
The Mets will recall Niese to take John Maine's spot in the rotation, New York Newsday reported Tuesday on its website.
New York's seventh-round draft pick in 2005, Niese is 5-1 with a 3.65 ERA in six starts at Class AAA New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League. According to Newsday's report, the lefthander would make his major league debut against Milwaukee on September 2, when the Mets next need a fifth starter.
New York, which begins an eight-game road trip in Philadelphia on Tuesday, has Thursday off. The Mets are one-half game ahead of the Phillies in the National League East.
Maine was placed back on the disabled list Monday with a sore left shoulder. He also was on the DL from July 29 to August 13 and did not make it past the sixth inning in any of his three outings after returning to the rotation. On Saturday, Maine surrendered eight runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-3 loss to the Houston Astros.
New York manager Jerry Manuel said Oliver Perez would start in Maine's place on Friday, when the Mets open a three-game series in Florida. Perez is 0-3 with a 10.66 ERA against the Marlins this season.
