Dan Does it Again

"We're seeing progress and I think that's key for us," is what Jerry Manuel told reporters in response to questions about his young right-hander. If you're judging from the stat line, I suppose you can say that. Through 5.0 yesterday, John Maine fanned 5, walked 3, let up one ER (3 runs total courtesy of his own wild pitches), and gave up 6 hits. That doesn't look pretty, but it is what Manuel said it is - progress.

Maine has been struggling mightily this spring as he came back from off-season surgery on his shoulder. This past Monday, an off day for the rest of the team, Maine was back in camp working with Dan Warthen on lengthening his stride and making some grip changes. After yesterday's start, Maine said the changes still seemed a bit unnatural to him but that overall he felt good.

While some are quick to jump to the other side of the S.S. Maine (© Brooklyn Met Fan) and say he's back, the right-hander isn't quite there yet. If he can keep working on these tweaks Warthen has made for him, they'll eventually become more fluid. Maine should keep improving and ultimately be back to his old self in no time.

This should be noted - Dan Warthen works. His methods not only get results, they get instant results. We saw it in Ollie and Pelf last season, we're seeing it with Maine now. Someone bring this guy the next stimulus plan. I'm convinced he might even be able to fix the economy.

Battle of the Mets Blogs Fantasy Baseball League drafts tonight at 8:00pm.