Chris Young Dominates In Triple-A; Return To Mets' Rotation Could Be Around The Corner
BUFFALO (WFAN) - Right-handed pitcher Chris Young, who is coming off surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his right shoulder, pitched brilliantly in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.
The 33-year-old -- who signed a Minor League deal with the Mets on March 26th -- tossed six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks. He struck out two and threw 50 of 87 pitches for strikes.
"I'll do what's best for the New York Mets," Young told The Buffalo News after the game. "We'll sit down and discuss it. We're trying to win a championship there. That's most important. The team is off to a great start and obviously I want to be a part of it. I feel good, and given the results today I feel like I'm pretty close to being ready. We'll sit down and talk and see what they feel is appropriate. If it's here, that's great. If it's in New York, I'll be ready to help win a ballgame there."
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said earlier this week that the Princeton alum would likely make one more additional Minor League start following this one before being called up to the Majors.
"If he feels good, then I think he's ready for the big leagues," Triple-A manager Wally Backman explained to the paper. "Maybe he needs another start to try to sharpen up a couple of things. We're basically going to leave that up to him and tell us how he feels."
When called up, Young is expected to get an opportunity to win the job for the fifth spot in New York's rotation. The Amazins' have been attempting to find a solid fifth starter -- without much luck -- ever since right-hander Mike Pelfrey felt stiffness in his elbow and was subsequently lost for the season.
Young was 1-0 was a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings pitched for the Mets last year before sustaining an arm injury which cost him the remainder of the season.
With the shuffling of struggling back-of-the-rotation Mets starter that we've seen this season -- Jeremy Hefner aside -- Chris Young will be a sight for sore eyes, won't he be? Sound off with your thoughts and comments in the section below...
