MET NOTES
In the Strangest Injury of the Year contest, the Mets may have a winner.
Shane Spencer was forced to go on the 15-day disabled list yesterday after he cut his right heel while stepping on a piece of glass at a bar late Thursday night. Spencer, who needed five stitches, was replaced on the roster by reliever Dan Wheeler.
“It’s frustrating,” Spencer said. “You don’t want to go on the DL for something stupid.”
After Spencer and his wife, Heidi, went on the Mets’ Foundation cruise around New York Harbor on Thursday night, the couple went out to a Manhattan bar. Spencer, who was wearing dress sandals, stepped on glass, initially not believing it was a big deal. Pretty soon, he discovered otherwise.
“I took my sandals off,” he said, “and it started squirting.”
Unable to stop the bleeding, Spencer was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent’s Hospital. He was told to stay off his foot for a week; hence, the DL.
“It’s one of those freak things you have to deal with, unfortunately,” GM Jim Duquette said.
Wheeler had been sent down to Norfolk two days earlier to make room for David Wright.
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Last night’s rainout against the Braves will be made up as part of a Shea Stadium doubleheader Sept. 13. The first game will start at 5:10 p.m. Due to the washout, the Mets slightly altered their rotation, moving Scott Erickson back. Al Leiter, last night’s starter, will go today, but Erickson, slated to pitch today, won’t pitch until he faces he Expos on Monday. Steve Trachsel will pitch tomorrow.
For the Braves, RHP John Thomson will go tonight and LHP Mike Hampton tomorrow.
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Duquette said Mike Piazza (sprained left wrist) has not been ruled out of this weekend’s series.