New York Mets

          Hefner stiff, but OK day after elbow blow

          Jeremy Hefner

          Jeremy Hefner

          #53 RP
          New York Mets

          2012 STATS

          • GM26

          • W4

          • L7

          • BB18

          • K62

          • ERA5.09

          PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Jeremy Hefner, who was struck on his pitching elbow Tuesday, said he survived the incident reasonably OK and his first regular-season start should not be in danger.

          "I feel good," Hefner said. "I probably can't throw today, obviously. It's a little stiff. But I'm getting my range of motion back. We'll treat it the whole day. My goal is to play catch tomorrow, but their goal is probably a little different."

          Hefner said he expects to break camp with the team and not be left behind to throw a simulated game to be ready for what is likely a start in the fourth game of the regular season.

          "I think it depends on how my elbow reacts whether I'll throw one bullpen or throw a simulated game or what direction TC and Dan [Warthen] would take," Hefner said. "My understanding is I will go with the team."