MET NOTES
After missing the past four games with a bruised left thumb, Robin Ventura returned to the lineup against the Giants last night.
“He felt really good today,” Bobby Valentine said. “He wasn’t sore to touch.”
Ventura’s MRI Thursday made him think he might be traded by Aug. 31. A potential trade partner would likely want to see the MRI to see that there is no permanent damage to the thumb.
If Ventura is going to be traded, he needs to show some healthy swings, as there haven’t been many in the past two months. Entering last night, since June 12, Ventura was at .151 (25-for-166).
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Mike Piazza plans on being a recruiter this offseason. When the Mets delve into the free agent market, Piazza wants to talk to potential Mets. Piazza, though, was quick to point out that guys usually decide on their own.
Piazza is excited about what next year’s Met club will look like.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Piazza said. “You don’t go on an all-out, Rotisserie-type situation. You have to deal with real world issues as well. I think we’ve made some moves and we’ve started in a sense. Matt Lawton is a good ballplayer.”
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Another reminder: Tomorrow’s game is an 8 p.m. start . . . One of the latest crazes, in the mode of bobblehead dolls are team comic books. On Monday afternoon, the first 15,000 fans under 12 will receive the Met comic books.
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The scheduled pitchers for the rest of the Giant series: Tonight, Jason Schmidt (9-7, 4.46) vs. Steve Trachsel (7-11, 5.27); Tomorrow, Russ Ortiz (14-6, 3.21) vs. Al Leiter (8-10, 3.33); Monday afternoon, undecided vs. Kevin Appier (7-10, 3.98).