jeudi 7 juin 2012

Bay set to rejoin suddenly crowded outfield today

WASHINGTON — Jason Bay has embraced the role of Mets fan for the last six weeks, but he isn’t getting paid to wave pom-poms in front of a TV set.

The beleaguered outfielder was activated from the disabled list yesterday after missing 40 games with a fractured rib and said he is anxious to play for a team on a roll.

“You want to get back and you want to play,” Bay said before the Mets’ 5-3 loss to the Nationals. “The team is doing well, and you want to be a part of that even more.”

His wait to rejoin the starting lineup was extended to today. After arriving from Port St. Lucie yesterday, Bay was on the bench just to “catch his breath,” according to manager Terry Collins, after Bay battled a cold in recent days.

The manager intends to put Bay in left field for today’s series finale and then begin forging a plan that will keep four outfielders — Bay, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Andres Torres and Lucas Duda — playing on a regular basis.

Collins will get a reprieve for the next week, as the Mets play six straight games in AL ballparks — Yankee Stadium and Tropicana Field — allowing for the designated hitter.

* Pedro Beato is the latest fresh arm the Mets hope can help jump-start the bullpen.

The right-hander was activated from the 60-day disabled list and available to pitch last night, though Collins opted for Miguel Batista for the final 1 1/3 innings.

* Ruben Tejada was headed back to New York to be examined by doctors after he departed early from Tuesday’s game for Triple-A Buffalo because of soreness in his right quadriceps. Tejada was originally slated to rejoin the Mets tomorrow, but that won’t happen.

* Chris Young was placed on paternity leave — his wife Liz gave birth to a son yesterday — and Josh Satin was designated for assignment to create roster space for Beato and Bay.

* Collins said there was miscommunication in the seventh inning that prevented Tim Byrdak from stepping off the rubber and throwing to second base for an appeal play. Steve Lomabardozzi tagged up on a pop fly to Ike Davis and went to third, but the Mets thought Lomabardozzi may have left early. Byrdak threw a pitch instead of appealing.

“We’re going to handle it differently next time,” Byrdak said.

* Daniel Murphy’s younger brother Jonathan was picked by the Twins in the 19th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft (580th overall).

mpuma@nypost.com

Jason Bay, Mets, the Mets, Terry Collins, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Lucas Duda, Pedro Beato, Ruben Tejada, disabled list, Tim Byrdak, Port St. Lucie, Miguel Batista, Andres Torres, Josh Satin

Nypost.com

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