Tim Redding Not Ready For A Battle Yet

The Mets signed Freddy Garcia, Livan Hernandez and Tim Redding to compete for the fifth starter’s job in spring training, however only one of them got a major league contract, Tim Redding.

Ironically, it’s Redding who has suffered an early setback due to a previously undisclosed injury.

Steve Popper of the Record has more,

In the race for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, it was disclosed today that Tim Redding’s frontrunner status has taken a hit.

Redding underwent offseason surgery to repair a stress fracture to the second toe of his left foot – his landing foot – and when he started throwing it was causing soreness in his shoulder. So he shut down his throwing and only recently began long-tossing again, still not with the force that he needs to start throwing off a mound.

“I pushed it too much too quick,” Redding said. “We’ve got time.”

Apparently, Redding believes he will be able to throw off a mound again in about a week, give or take a few days.

Manuel, on the other hand, was non committal and simply said there was no timetable and that they would take it slow.