By Howie Rumberg
Associated Press
NEW YORK ó The next time Mets manager Terry Collins picks up the bullpen phone to call for his closer his decision will be a little more difficult.
He could ask for veteran Jason Isringhausen. Or Bobby Parnell and his 100 mph fastball. Or promising rookie Pedro Beato. Heck, if there are three left-handed hitters due up, Tim Byrdak might make the run in from the bullpen.
With Francisco Rodriguez getting settled in with his new teammates in Milwaukee after being traded on All-Star game night, the ninth inning has become a whole lot murkier for a team trying to remain relevant in pennant and wild card races.
The relievers sure donít mind.
ěThatís every day for us down in the bullpen,î Parnell said Thursday. ěYou never know what nameís going to be called when the phone rings.î
Isringhausen, Beato and Parnell have all earned a look in that spot after having solid seasons. Collins is reluctant to name a full-time closer before the Mets open the second half with a three-game series against division-rival Philadelphia.
ěIím not going to name one guy. All that leads to if things donít work out then I got to make a move,î Collins said. ěIn two weeks there may be one guy. I donít know.î
Isringhausen would appear to be a natural choice, having notched 293 career saves ó two more than K-Rod ó but this is the 38-year-old former Metsí phenomís first season back after missing 11/2 years due to injuries.
And while Isringhausen moved right into Rodriguezís abandoned locker in the Mets clubhouse, he knows heís there to help the youngsters.
Parnell has received praise for finally learning how to control his slider as a complement to a blazing fastball. Beato began his major league career with 12 appearances without giving up an earned run.
Even though sharing the role means it will be more difficult to find a routine in the bullpen, Beato is ready for the challenge.
ěItís new on this level but itís not new to me,î said Beato, who closed for Baltimoreís Double-A team last season.
Regardless of who finishes the game, the Mets are entering a crucial period. At 46-45, they are third in the NL East, 11 games behind the Phillies and 71/2 games behind the wild card-leading Braves.
Losing money and embroiled in the Bernard Madoff scandal, should the Mets fall further out of contention before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, New Yorkís first-year general manager Sandy Alderson could unload several other players to clear money for next season and help build up the farm system.
Rodriguezís trade made immediate sense because he was on track to reach 55 games finished this season, automatically triggering an option that would pay him $17.5 million next year. But Calros Beltran and even Jose Reyes could find themselves on the way out if the Mets donít play well.
ěThereís no magic number above or below which makes us a buyer or seller,î Alderson said. ěItís one of those things weíll probably know when we see it.î
Also, first baseman Ike Davis had a cortisone shot Thursday in his aching ankle and will wait three more weeks before deciding if season-ending surgery is the best option.
Davis began running last week for the first time since soon after he was hurt in a collision with David Wright on May 10, and he felt pain while running without warming up while wearing a weight ó and stress ó reducing harness.
Alderson said Reyes, the NLís All-Star shortstop, likely will not be back when he is due to return from the disabled list. Out since July 3 with a strained left hamstring, Reyes was on the field Thursday for a workout but has not ramped up his running yet.
ěHeís just not doing anything that would put a strain on that hamstring,î Alderson said. ěWeíll be careful.î
On a more positive note, star third baseman Wright (stress fracture in back) will play his first rehab game Friday for Class-A St. Lucie. Heís been out since May 16.