Hey, Mikey!

Piazza gives first base a try during rehab assignment

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- Mike Piazza played first base for two innings Sunday night during the fourth game of his rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Norfolk.

The New York Mets All-Star catcher, out since May 17 because of a severely strained right groin, caught the first seven innings and played first base the last two in the Tides' 3-1 loss to the Richmond Braves.

It was the first time Piazza played first in a professional game since July 26, 1993, when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets have discussed the possibility of Piazza splitting time between catching and playing first base in the near future.

He tested the groin with a full stretch when he fielded a low throw to complete a double play in the eighth. Third baseman Russ Johnson fielded a grounder, threw to Dan Garcia for the first out, and Garcia threw to Piazza at first. Piazza stretched out with his left leg and went low to the ground, fielding the throw and completing the double play.

"Obviously, the groin is feeling a little better, and I gave it a test," said Piazza, who went 0-for-4 in the game.

The play caused some momentary uneasiness, especially for Jose Vazquez, the Mets' assistant strength and conditioning coordinator.

"Jose said, 'Man, you sure know how to make me nervous,'" Piazza said.

Garcia was also surprised Piazza made such a big stretch on the play.

"I thought, 'Did he just do that? Isn't he coming off a torn groin?'"

Richmond's Travis Wilson also quickly tested Piazza at first, when he attempted a drag bunt down the first-base line on the first pitch of the eighth, but the ball went foul.

"I started laughing and cussed at him," Piazza said with a big grin. "He looked back and smiled."

Piazza said he wants to take some time learning how to play first base before he plays the position in the majors.

"I've always prided myself on doing things the right way," Piazza said. "When I started catching, I spent countless hours running to the backstop like a Labrador retriever the first couple of years. If I'm going to play first, I want to do it the right way."

Piazza is 3-for-13 in four games with the Tides, and isn't sure when he'll rejoin the Mets. New York tentatively planned to have Piazza in the lineup next week against San Francisco.

 

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