Recap: Willie Randolph on WFAN
Mets Manager Willie Randolph recently made his first of his weekly appearances on WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog today and touched on a variety of topics including, Pedro Martinez‘s injury, as well as, his concern about a slow start and psyche of Oliver Perez.
Randolph on Martinez’s injury…
“As we speak he’s getting an MRI. We have Nelson Figueroa on stand by, just in case we have to put Pedro on the DL, which we probably will do. He said he felt something pop and with the way he walked off the mound he didn’t look too good. I didn’t get a chance to see him before he left this morning.”
…as noted the previous post, the Mets place martinez on the 15-day disabled list and called up figueroa…
Randolph noted he will stay with the current rotation and will have Oliver Perez available to pitch opening day at Shea Stadium, but doesn’t mind using Figueroa for a ‘start or two,’ as he had a good spring.
Randolph on the being concerned about a slow start due last season’s collapse…
“No, I don’t think there will be any carry over. I don’t think the players think that way. We are so accustomed to picking each other up, without having some of our core guys around. The clubhouse is always very much the same… the mood in the clubhouse last night was pretty much upbeat.”
Randolph also stated he is happy with how is team is playing through the first two games, stating…
“Well, Angel Pagan got off to a nice little start with a couple of big hits for us. Carlos Delgado, if he was just a little more patient last night, he got a little to aggressive and swung at some bad balls. It’s all about patience with him. I’ve been happy with the bullpen so far. Aaron’s (Heilman) looked good all spring. He just looks stronger to me. For some reason, the fastball is coming out of his hand real nice, he’s come up with a cutter or a little slider, not his best pitch but a nice pitch to get you off the fastball and the change-up. He’s been really lights out so far.. We gotta get Feliciano & Wagner in the mix, hopefully tonight. The bullpen has looked real sharp so far.”
Randolph on Perez…
“I thought he had a decent spring. His achilles heal has always been staying focused & staying within himself. Keeping his arm angle right. I think Ollie is kind of oblivious to everything around him. He’s the kinda kid who just wants to go out and pitch. It’s gonna be a chore to keep him locked in everyday. I’m gonna stay on his butt about that.”
Randolph also stated he was tempted to put Raul Casonova in the starting lineup tonight, but Brian Schneider advised he was feeling great and decided to stick with Schneider due to the off day tomorrow.
…thanks to Peter Wade for gathering the quotes…
To listen to Randolph’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
