PITTSBURGH - When the Mets first acquired J.J. Putz, there was concern over how an All-Star closer would handle a lesser setup role for Francisco Rodriguez. But two months into the season, Putz has been knocked down to Bobby Parnell's understudy after Jerry Manuel told him Wednesday that he was now relegated to the seventh inning.
"For the most part, he will be given less responsibility than he was given before," Manuel said. "Just to get him right. Just to get him back on the right track."
Putz had to be pulled from his last two eighth-inning assignments. Of his last eight batters, he has walked two and allowed six consecutive singles. Overall, his ERA has jumped to 4.76 and Putz has 19 walks in 281/3 innings.
Manuel finally decided to make the move after Monday's game, when Putz blew the lead by giving up four straight singles and three runs in the 8-5 loss to the Pirates. Earlier that day, Putz worked on a few mechanical issues with pitching coach Dan Warthen, but it appears he needs to attack those problems with less stress.
"In pressure-packed situations, you really don't have a chance to work on things," Putz said. "All you're trying to do is figure out how to get somebody out. So now I can take a step back, be allowed to kind of pitch with a clear head and think of what I'm doing."
Putz seemed to take the demotion in stride and Manuel expects it to be a short-term move. Of course, if his struggles continue, and Parnell excels in the setup job, well, that would be a different story.
"Man, I'd be glad to have that problem," Manuel said. "I would love to have that issue. I have two guys that's fighting for the eighth inning? If we're a championship club, we'll treat the seventh like the eighth inning."
"For the most part, he will be given less responsibility than he was given before," Manuel said. "Just to get him right. Just to get him back on the right track."
Putz had to be pulled from his last two eighth-inning assignments. Of his last eight batters, he has walked two and allowed six consecutive singles. Overall, his ERA has jumped to 4.76 and Putz has 19 walks in 281/3 innings.
Manuel finally decided to make the move after Monday's game, when Putz blew the lead by giving up four straight singles and three runs in the 8-5 loss to the Pirates. Earlier that day, Putz worked on a few mechanical issues with pitching coach Dan Warthen, but it appears he needs to attack those problems with less stress.
"In pressure-packed situations, you really don't have a chance to work on things," Putz said. "All you're trying to do is figure out how to get somebody out. So now I can take a step back, be allowed to kind of pitch with a clear head and think of what I'm doing."
Putz seemed to take the demotion in stride and Manuel expects it to be a short-term move. Of course, if his struggles continue, and Parnell excels in the setup job, well, that would be a different story.
"Man, I'd be glad to have that problem," Manuel said. "I would love to have that issue. I have two guys that's fighting for the eighth inning? If we're a championship club, we'll treat the seventh like the eighth inning."
