Mets Notes

[Lil Bit Special]

FERNANDO BACK: Top prospect Fernando Martinez, the Double-A outfielder who felt his right hamstring pop while playing for Binghamton on May 14, is scheduled to play in a Gulf Coast League (rookie level) game today for the first time since the injury. Martinez has been limited to 97 games over two seasons because of injuries.

PAGAN'S PAIN: Outfielder Angel Pagan, who injured his left shoulder May 7 at Dodger Stadium, may require surgery. "He went into the stands very hard - full speed," VP Tony Bernazard said. "I guess whatever he has is deep."

ALOU HITTING: Moises Alou (strained calf) is expected to begin hitting at the team's Port St. Lucie complex this week.

JERRY PROVIDES RELIEF: Aaron Heilman said Mets relievers welcome Jerry Manuel's intention to have more defined bullpen roles. The interim manager already has identified Duaner Sanchez as his primary eighth-inning reliever. ...

First-round pick Reese Havens, who signed for $1.4 million out of the University of South Carolina and was assigned to Brooklyn, has yet to play with the Cyclones because of elbow discomfort. Bernazard estimated the shortstop would be sidelined a total of 10 days. ...

Ambiorix Burgos, the reliever acquired from the Royals for Brian Bannister, is throwing bullpen sessions as he recovers from Aug. 28 Tommy John elbow surgery.

-Ryan Church is jogging and throwing. He has not been hitting, but that could happen next week.

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• Aaron Heilman’s strong June continues, as he threw another scoreless frame. Heilman has allowed only one run on six hits and two walks with nine strikeouts over 9.0 innings this month.
  

[Lil Bit Special]

Mets' Manuel streamlines batting practice

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmnotes0621,0,262391.story

DENVER - Those wanting to get a glimpse of the Mets during batting practice at Shea Stadium might have to get to the ballpark a little earlier for the remainder of the season. One of the new plans of interim manager Jerry Manuel has been to shorten those pregame sessions in an effort to make them more efficient.

Manuel says he wants to focus more on quality swings during BP rather than quantity. He's already supervised a couple of extra sessions in the early afternoon during the series in Anaheim and Friday at Coors Field.

"That was something that we're trying to do as often as possible to get the bats going," Manuel said before Friday's game against the Rockies. "And I really think if we can get it going offensively, I really believe that we will appear to be playing better. Hitting is a thing -- if a guy hits, he looks a little better defensively, as well."

Manuel has been trimming the regular BP sessions by more than half, from eight rounds to as few as two. The new approach seems to be a hit so far with the Mets.

"Once you get locked in, you want to stop," Carlos Delgado said. "Whether it's 10 swings or 100."