Nymet31
09-01-2003, 04:21 PM
NEW YORK -- Aaron Heilman's on-again, off-again place in the Mets' starting rotation is off again, at least for the time being.
Art Howe announced on Sunday that Jeremy Griffiths would be starting Monday against Atlanta in place of Heilman and that the fifth spot in the rotation would be a turn-to-turn decision for the remainder of the season. While Howe was quick to point out that Heilman may indeed work his way back into the rotation at some point over the final four weeks of the season, any such return appears to hinge on how well Griffiths does.
Howe added that plucking Heilman from the rotation had nothing to do with the fact he would be facing Atlanta. Heilman allowed three runs on five hits through three innings last Wednesday against the Braves. Howe believes that Heilman was and is trying to be "too fine" with his pitches.
Heilman (2-6, 6.71) has struggled with his command since his arrival in Queens. He has walked 35 batters in 56 1/3 innings. Though his average start has lasted just under five innings, he is throwing an average of 93 pitches per outing and that's too much for Howe's liking. Even recently when Heilman has thrown better, he has struggled to find the strike zone. His starts against San Francisco and San Diego earlier this month were two of his best outings yet he walked eight batters in 11 innings.
The former first-round pick from Notre Dame averaged a walk every 3 1/3 innings during his two-plus seasons in the minor leagues, including walking 32 batters in 94 1/3 innings earlier this year at Triple-A Norfolk. Heilman is averaging a walk every 1 2/3 innings through 11 starts with the Mets. He did pitch 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief Sunday, walking one.
"A big part of being successful at this level is not issuing free passes," said Heilman, who earlier this month was also struggling with pace of delivery problems. "I've just got to get better and get more consistent. It doesn't do me any good to beat myself up about it or get mad. The fact of the matter is that I need to be better.
"I've certainly walked a lot more guys than I have in the past and that's put me in some tough situations. Because of that I've thrown more pitches as a result of the jams that wouldn't be there if I hadn't created them."
Heilman said that he isn't frustrated by his situation and that he doesn't consider what he's been going through as a setback. He will be available to throw in long relief while doing bullpen work with pitching coach Vern Ruhle as he attempts to "work out the kinks."
"I've worked out the kinks in the past," Heilman said. "I think unfortunately some of the kinks I'm trying to work out now are sticking around a lot longer. I'm confident that I'll work through it, though."
In the meantime, Griffiths will get another look. The big right-hander was scheduled to pitch Sunday for Norfolk but was held back. He went 7-6 with a 2.74 ERA in 21 games (19 starts). He is 1-1 in five games (two starts) in two previous stints with New York. He was particularly effective in his last start on Aug. 3 against St. Louis, earning the win after allowing one earned run over seven innings.
Art Howe announced on Sunday that Jeremy Griffiths would be starting Monday against Atlanta in place of Heilman and that the fifth spot in the rotation would be a turn-to-turn decision for the remainder of the season. While Howe was quick to point out that Heilman may indeed work his way back into the rotation at some point over the final four weeks of the season, any such return appears to hinge on how well Griffiths does.
Howe added that plucking Heilman from the rotation had nothing to do with the fact he would be facing Atlanta. Heilman allowed three runs on five hits through three innings last Wednesday against the Braves. Howe believes that Heilman was and is trying to be "too fine" with his pitches.
Heilman (2-6, 6.71) has struggled with his command since his arrival in Queens. He has walked 35 batters in 56 1/3 innings. Though his average start has lasted just under five innings, he is throwing an average of 93 pitches per outing and that's too much for Howe's liking. Even recently when Heilman has thrown better, he has struggled to find the strike zone. His starts against San Francisco and San Diego earlier this month were two of his best outings yet he walked eight batters in 11 innings.
The former first-round pick from Notre Dame averaged a walk every 3 1/3 innings during his two-plus seasons in the minor leagues, including walking 32 batters in 94 1/3 innings earlier this year at Triple-A Norfolk. Heilman is averaging a walk every 1 2/3 innings through 11 starts with the Mets. He did pitch 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief Sunday, walking one.
"A big part of being successful at this level is not issuing free passes," said Heilman, who earlier this month was also struggling with pace of delivery problems. "I've just got to get better and get more consistent. It doesn't do me any good to beat myself up about it or get mad. The fact of the matter is that I need to be better.
"I've certainly walked a lot more guys than I have in the past and that's put me in some tough situations. Because of that I've thrown more pitches as a result of the jams that wouldn't be there if I hadn't created them."
Heilman said that he isn't frustrated by his situation and that he doesn't consider what he's been going through as a setback. He will be available to throw in long relief while doing bullpen work with pitching coach Vern Ruhle as he attempts to "work out the kinks."
"I've worked out the kinks in the past," Heilman said. "I think unfortunately some of the kinks I'm trying to work out now are sticking around a lot longer. I'm confident that I'll work through it, though."
In the meantime, Griffiths will get another look. The big right-hander was scheduled to pitch Sunday for Norfolk but was held back. He went 7-6 with a 2.74 ERA in 21 games (19 starts). He is 1-1 in five games (two starts) in two previous stints with New York. He was particularly effective in his last start on Aug. 3 against St. Louis, earning the win after allowing one earned run over seven innings.