The Mets yesterday denied that their deal for starter Kenny Rogers implied that injured Bobby Jones’ recovery from a sore shoulder has been slower than expected. As a matter of fact, Jones threw on the side yesterday and the Amazin’s seemed somewhat optimistic by what they saw – although they stressed he’s at least three weeks away from returning to the rotation.
“Bobby Jones was OK. He got through the workout. He’s not ready to pitch in a major league game, but it’s another step forward,” said BobbyValentine. “He got through it without injury, [although] he’s struggling with his mechanics.”
Valentine said he thought Jones would need another day of throwing on the side – possibly batting practice on Tuesday – and then pitch in a simulated game before starting his minor-league rehab assignment, as the Mets had earlier hoped.
“I think I said a week ago he’ll throw batting practice and the next step could be a rehab assignment. I don’t think that’s the case, from what I feel right now. I think we’ll do it again,” Valentine said. When asked for a rough estimate on how long it would take to complete that rehab assignment, Valentine responded, “I’d say 18 days , if he’s on a fast track. Dave [Wallace, pitching coach] might have another way of doing it. I’m not speaking for him; that’s just my estimate.”
If Jones doesn’t return until mid-to-late August, the expansion of the rosters in September might eliminate the need to deal or demote any of the Mets’ starters. *While neither Valentine nor GM Steve Phillips would venture a public guess as to what move the Mets would make to clear space on their 25-man roster for Rogers tomorrow, Phillips did say he wasn’t averse to the idea of putting blue-chip starting prospect Octavio Dotel in the bullpen.
“He could go to the bullpen. It’s something we’d have to consider. I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” Phillips said. “I like him better as a starter, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” *While the Mets seemed very happy about their acquisition of Kenny Rogers for a pair of minor leaguers, and Valentine seemed pleased to be re-united with a pitcher he managed in Texas, not all the Mets seemed as impressed.
Left fielder Rickey Henderson, who played with Rogers last year in Oakland when the latter had a career 16-8, 3.17 ERA, seemed utterly befuddled as to why several reporters would want to speak with him about Rogers.
“I don’t know what y’all want to know about Kenny. Why ask me?” Henderson said. “You’d have to ask Kenny how much he feels he’s gonna help. He’s a good pitcher – if he’s on, if he’s right. But I’ve got a cold, and Kenny ain’t on my mind, so I can’t help you. ”