Marcum Questionable For Next Start

[Giantmetfan07]

[font=lucida sans unicode']PORT ST. LUCIE - Shaun Marcum is an important piece of the Mets’ starting rotation, but a stalled bullpen session Monday left the team wondering if he will be ready to start the season.[/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode']Two major league sources told the Daily News that Marcum complained of neck discomfort Monday. That occurred during a bullpen session intended as a final check to make sure he was ready to make a Grapefruit League start on Thursday. According to the sources, Marcum is now highly unlikely to make that start.[/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode']Asked if Marcum’s readiness for the regular season next week was a concern, a source said, “That’s fair to say.”[/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode']Marcum’s agent, Rex Gary, did not immediately respond to a telephone message.[/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode']It is unclear who would take Marcum’s spot in the rotation if, as the team now fears, he is not ready for the season.

Lefthander Aaron Laffey, sent to minor league camp after a rough start on Sunday, had been considered next in line, but one source said that he “doubt(ed) it would be Laffey.”[/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode']Former Met Chris Young decided after starting for Washington Monday night to exercise an opt out clause in his minor league contract with the Nationals, because there was no room for him in the team’s rotation.[/font]