With Pedro Martinez back in the Dominican Republic, grieving the loss of his father, the Mets will start 32 year old rookie Brandon Knight against the Cardinals Saturday night.
His statistics justify the choice. Since joining the Zephyrs, Knight is 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA. He has fanned 49 batters and walked 10 in 39 1/3 innings, earning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week honors after striking out 12 in six scoreless innings last Saturday. Only months after considering retirement, Knight has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the Minor Leagues, even earning a roster spot on Team USA for the Beijing Olympics. He began this season with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, before the Mets took notice and offered him a Minor League contract in May.
"My wife, Brooke, convinced me to go for it and in my heart, I felt I needed to give myself one more chance," Knight told MLB.com last week. Knight's brief Major League career with the Yankees included 11 relief appearances over two seasons, in which he produced a 10.71 ERA. He has not pitched in the big leagues since 2002.
On the injury front, it was announced that Ryan Church can begin light conditioning, and Angel Pagan is out for the season after a decision has been made to undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder. Pagan injured the shoulder in Los Angeles in May after diving over the wall and into the left field corner seats.
Friday, July 25, 2008
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