Mets activate RHP Maine, hope he shores up bullpen

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The New York Mets used seven relievers in back-to-back games going into Wednesday night's game. Help is on the way.

Maine

Before playing the Chicago Cubs, the Mets activated right-hander John Maine and indicated that he will work out of the bullpen. He had been on the disabled list since Aug. 25 with bone spurs in his throwing shoulder.

According to MLB.com, doctors have told manager Jerry Manuel that Maine can't hurt the shoulder further by throwing.

"My concern with him is his health," Manuel said, according to the Web site. "It would be a good thing if he could be pain-free. I don't like the fact that he can have pain and pitch through that."

Maine is 10-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 25 appearances, all starts. His health will limit his activity down the stretch.

Maine threw at 92-93 mph on flat ground before the game and was activated. General manager Omar Minaya said he could pitch in relief twice before Sunday and that if Maine were dominant, he could be considered for a postseason roster.

"We don't see him as a starter, so you move him to the bullpen, how many pitches does he need to warm up, all of those factors, they need to be considered," Minaya said, according to MLB.com.

The Mets began the night with a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL wild-card chase and 1½ games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

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