Just when you thought Maine was coming back slowly, we find out that he’s actually worse than we all thought. I’m hearing reports from various sources that Maine will indeed get surgery on his ailing right shoulder to remove a bone spur.
The New York Post said, “John Maine told The Post after tonight’s loss to the Astros that he expects to have arthroscopic surgery after the season to remove a painful bone spur in his right shoulder. Maine, who gave up a season-high eight earned runs in the 8-3 setback, plans to pitch through the pain — with the Mets’ blessing — for the rest of the season, then have the surgery. “Something’s going to have to be done,” Maine said.”
A blessing? He’s going to continue to pitch with a painful bone spur? If this is what the Mets medical staff says, then it’s bad. Remember, this is the same medical staff that said Ryan Church is cleared to fly from Atlanta to Colorado after his second concussion.
If that’s not alarming, here’s what the LoHud Blog said, “Maine, as you know, has been told he can’t sustain further structural damage by continuing to pitch. He was asked if this was something that could lead to offseason surgery. He looked around at the mob of reporters and said, “Sure.””
What do we do Mets fans? Do we shut him down immediately to prevent career threatening injuries? Or let him pitch through the pain, hoping he manages his shoulder properly and help the Mets win games by going 5 or 6 innings. Look, he wants to pitch and Jerry knows that, but you can’t jeopardize the shoulder of a young pitcher.
Who do we call up if that time does come? Bobby Parnell? Do we bring up Jon Niese already? This is going to be a tough few days for the Mets. Hopefully something happens, and something that I won’t go berserk about.
