PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Carlos Muniz is hoping a consistent split-finger fastball will be the key to staying in the big leagues this season.
Muniz worked on the pitch this offseason in the Mexican League.
“I threw 20 innings working on the split-finger. The pitch is coming along real well. It’s a feel-pitch, that’s all,” Muniz said. “Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not there. I just have to figure out when it’s good and when I can throw it. That’s what I’m focusing on in spring training.”
The right-hander has been up with the Mets for two outings in 2007, tossing a scoreless inning as part of a one-hit shutout Sept. 29, and for 18 appearances last season, when he went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 23 innings.
He started 2008 with Triple-A New Orleans and had nine saves in 10 opportunities. He had a 3.93 ERA in 36 2-3 innings.
With the signing of Francisco Rodriguez and acquiring J.J. Putz in a trade, Muniz will be looking to just find a spot in the crowded bullpen. Not having to finish games is fine with him.
sense of comfort having two All-Star closers in the eighth and ninth inning. Everyone’s pumped up having them here.”
Notes: The Mets’ new stadium, Citi Field, will make its debut with a Big East game between St. John’s and Georgetown on March 29 at 1:10 p.m. The Mets will see their first action there with exhibition games April 3 and 4 before opening the regular season on the road. Their regular-season home opener is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 7:10 p.m. vs. San Diego. … The Mets will participate in a pair of intrasquad games Monday and Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., with proceeds going to the Mets Foundation and the Brian Cole Memorial Scholarship Fund. … LHP Oliver Perez will start the spring home opener against Florida on Thursday at 1:10. … Manager Jerry Manuel said there’s a good chance two former third basemen – Dan Murphy and Fernando Tatis – could be in the lineup together in left field and right field, respectively; much of it depends on the status of injury-prone RF Ryan Church.
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