WASHINGTON — Mike Pelfrey’s scheduled start for the Mets against the Phillies on Friday could be in jeopardy.
As one of several Mets battling the flu, Pelfrey has shed 11 pounds in less than a week, bringing concern from manager Terry Collins about the righty’s fitness to make his next start.
If Pelfrey doesn’t receive clearance to pitch Friday, Collins is prepared to give Dillon Gee the ball.
Pelfrey threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park, and later said he’s fine to face the Phillies. But pitching coach Dan Warthen threw a caution flag.
“I thought he labored a little bit,” Warthen said. “At the end of 45 pitches I thought he was tired.”
Pelfrey pitched with flulike symptoms in his prior start, on Friday against the Diamondbacks, and had his best start of the season, allowing one run over seven innings.
“The one thing I take probably more pride in than anything is being able to take the ball every time,” Pelfrey said. “I just think I’m going to get better in the next two days, I don’t think it’s going to get any worse and I’ll be ready to go on Friday.”