John Maine
Encyclopedia
John Kevin Maine is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles
and New York Mets
. He bats and throws right-handed.
. After graduating from North Stafford High School
in Stafford, Virginia
, Maine played college baseball for UNC Charlotte where he was named the Conference USA
Pitcher of the Year in and set several single-season 49er's records including strikeouts and wins. In , while still in college, Maine pitched for the Bethesda Big Train
, a summer collegiate baseball team located a few miles outside of Washington D.C.
in the sixth round of the baseball amateur draft. In 2003, he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 185. Long considered a top prospect after two years in the minor leagues
, Maine made his debut with the Orioles on July 23, 2004. After spending the latter half of and most of 2005 shuffling between Baltimore and Triple-A Ottawa
, Maine recorded his first Major League win on August 13, , at Camden Yards
with a 1–0 shutout victory over the Toronto Blue Jays
in which he started and pitched five innings.
Maine was traded to the Mets on January 21, , along with right-handed reliever Jorge Julio
in exchange for starting pitcher Kris Benson
.
in early May 2006 after rookie Brian Bannister
was put on the disabled list with a hamstring
injury. Maine started on May 2 against Washington
and took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He was placed on the disabled list on May 6 with inflammation of his right middle finger, which he says hurt his May 2 start. He was reactivated on June 12 and was optioned back to Triple A Norfolk.
On July 3, he was recalled from the minors and became part of the Mets' starting rotation. After a solid, if mediocre start off the DL, Maine had a start that could be said to have turned around his career. Starting pitcher Orlando Hernandez
was originally supposed to start against the Houston Astros
, but early rain caused the Mets to put in Maine instead. He pitched a complete game shutout. That start continued a scoreless innings streak. Maine pitched a scoreless inning in relief, and then 22 scoreless innings over three starts, recording two wins and a no decision over that span. After his second scoreless outing, Mets manager Willie Randolph
designated Maine as the rotation's fifth starter over higher-ranking prospect Mike Pelfrey.
Maine's scoreless-inning streak reached 26 innings before he allowed a run. Against Washington
on August 12, Maine retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced before Nick Johnson
hit a solo home run. The streak fell 5 2/3 innings short of Jerry Koosman
's Mets franchise record. His streak was the longest ever by a Mets rookie starter, exceeding Dwight Gooden
and Anthony Young
's 23-inning streaks by two. His 25 scoreless innings by a starter was the longest streak since Al Leiter threw 25 1/3 scoreless in .
On September 29, 2006, in his final at-bat of the season, Maine recorded his first major league hit, ending a streak of twenty-eight hitless at-bats.
Overall, Maine went 6–5 with a 3.60 ERA in 15 starts in his debut season for the Mets showing flashes of dominance such as his scoreless innings streak. His efforts helped the Mets win the National League Eastern Division. Despite his solid season, he was originally not expected to make a start in the postseason. However, after injuries sidelined both Pedro Martínez
and Orlando Hernández
, Maine found himself starting Game 1 of the National League
Division Series
for the Mets. In that game, he pitched 4 1/3 innings and got a no-decision. The Mets went on to win that game to give them a 1–0 lead in the Division series against the Dodgers. In the must win game 6 of the NLCS against the Cardinals
Maine went 5 1/3 and defeated defending Cy Young
award winner in the National League Chris Carpenter
to force a game 7.
Maine went to the 2006 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series
along with fellow teammates José Reyes and David Wright.
Maine started his campaign with a win against the Cardinals, holding St. Louis to one hit and no runs in seven innings. Maine's success against hitters in 2007 continued, and he posted a 15–10 record with a 3.91 ERA with 180 strikeouts in 191.0 innings pitched. Maine's off-season conditioning program helped him to pitcher deeper into ballgames, and he started to become one of the more dominant pitchers in the National League.
In April, he had a no-hitter
through 7 innings against the Florida Marlins
before a single by Miguel Cabrera
spoiled the bid. After a solid April in which he went 4–0 with a 1.35 ERA, Maine was named the National League Pitcher of the Month.
At the All-Star break, Maine led Mets starters with a 2.71 ERA, 93 strikeouts and was tied with Brad Penny
for the most wins in the NL at 10 each. Despite posting great numbers, he was not in the All-Star game, when asked if he expected to make the game, he said no.
On July 24, 2007, in the bottom of the 4th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Maine hit a 2-run home run to left field and received a curtain call. This was his first home run of his major league career. The Mets won 8–4, and Maine earned his 11th win of the season. Maine earned his Met-leading 12th victory against the Nationals on July 29, pitching a complete game shutout in a five inning rain-shortened game, giving up only a single hit.
As late as September 18, his 7.89 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched put him the top 10 among all qualified National League starting pitchers.
On September 29, 2007, Maine threw 7.2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit, and striking out 14 Florida Marlins
, leading the Mets to a 13–0 rout. Maine's 14 strikeouts were the most for a Mets starter in eight years; the Marlins' lone hit came with two outs in the eighth inning, an infield hit to the third base bag by Marlins' back-up catcher Paul Hoover (baseball)
. The no-hit
bid was nearly a mirror image of April 28, , when David Cone
threw 7.1 hitless innings before surrendering an infield hit or that of Dwight Gooden
in when a similar hit was given up and third baseman Ray Knight
could not pick it up in time. John Maine has been heralded by Tom Seaver
as something of a protege.
He entered the 2008 season as the Mets' number 3 starter. Maine received a raise by the Mets and earned $450,000. He ended the season with 25 starts, 140 innings, 10–8 win-loss record, and a 4.18 ERA.
The end of Maine's 2008 season was marred by injury. On August 4, Maine was put on the disabled list with a strained rotator cuff
. He returned, making three more starts, but was then put back on the disabled list. On September 24, he again came off the disabled list but Manager Jerry Manuel did not allow him to pitch for fear of future injury. At season's end, he underwent surgery in which doctors removed a bone spur from his shoulder. The doctors were amazed at the size of the spur; they said it was the biggest they had ever seen. They were amazed that he was able to pitch in that condition.
He began throwing in December and was ready for spring training of 2009.
In January, the Mets avoided arbitration, signing Maine to a one-year, $2.6 million contract. Maine initially struggled coming off the shoulder surgery, posting a 5.40 ERA to go with a 1–2 record in four April starts. However, he bounced back in his six starts in May, going 4–1 with an ERA of 2.75, nearly half of his April ERA. After a poor start in June, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to arm fatigue. Maine would stay on the DL with arm fatigue and numerous setbacks for a long amount of time. He eventually came back in mid-September and was eased back into the rotation, going more than 5 innings only once. In his last start of the season against the Astros, he went 7.0 innings letting up one earned run with 7 strikeouts, with that encouraging start he gave the Mets more certainty that he can return to his '07 form in the 2010 season. He finished the 2009 season with a 7–6 win/loss record throwing 81.1 innings with an era of 4.43.
In January, the Mets and John Maine agreed to arbitration, signing Maine to a one-year, $3.3 million contract (with an additional $225,000 that can be earned in performance bonuses).
Maine has struggled with his performance and has spent additional time on the Disabled List. On May 20, in his ninth start of the season, he was taken out of the game after pitching to one batter. Maine stated that he was in good health, but Jerry Manuel
ignored his request to stay in the game. Pitching coach Dan Warthen
said that Maine had "habit" of not being truthful about his health.
On July 23, Maine had arthroscopic surgery to repair his shoulder and missed the remainder of the 2010 season.
Maine became a free agent after the 2010 season and signed with the Colorado Rockies, starting the 2011 season in the minor leagues.
, including an invitation to Spring Training
. On June 22, after pitching 45 innings with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox
, recording a 7.43 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and 37 walks, Maine left the team and was reportedly considering retiring from baseball.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He bats and throws right-handed.
Early life and college
Maine was born in Fredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
. After graduating from North Stafford High School
North Stafford High School
North Stafford High School is a public high school in northern Stafford County, Virginia. It is one of five public high schools in the and instructs students in grades 9 through 12.-History:...
in Stafford, Virginia
Stafford, Virginia
Stafford is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Stafford County in the northern part of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. The population as of the 2010 Census was 4,320. It lies north of Fredericksburg, approximately south of metropolitan Washington, D.C., and about north of...
, Maine played college baseball for UNC Charlotte where he was named the Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
Pitcher of the Year in and set several single-season 49er's records including strikeouts and wins. In , while still in college, Maine pitched for the Bethesda Big Train
Bethesda Big Train
The Bethesda Big Train are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Bethesda, Maryland. Most of its players are drawn from the college ranks. The team is a member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League . The Big Train plays its home games at Shirley Povich Field...
, a summer collegiate baseball team located a few miles outside of Washington D.C.
Baltimore Orioles
Maine decided to forgo his senior season at Charlotte and was drafted by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in the sixth round of the baseball amateur draft. In 2003, he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 185. Long considered a top prospect after two years in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, Maine made his debut with the Orioles on July 23, 2004. After spending the latter half of and most of 2005 shuffling between Baltimore and Triple-A Ottawa
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
, Maine recorded his first Major League win on August 13, , at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
with a 1–0 shutout victory over the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in which he started and pitched five innings.
Maine was traded to the Mets on January 21, , along with right-handed reliever Jorge Julio
Jorge Julio
Jorge Dandys Julio Tapia is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He previously played for the Baltimore Orioles from 2001–2005, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, and the Florida Marlins in 2007 before being traded...
in exchange for starting pitcher Kris Benson
Kris Benson
Kristin James Benson is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Benson pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from to , New York Mets from to , Baltimore Orioles in to , Texas Rangers in , and Arizona Diamondbacks in ....
.
New York Mets
He was called up from Triple A NorfolkNorfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
in early May 2006 after rookie Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
was put on the disabled list with a hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
injury. Maine started on May 2 against Washington
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
and took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He was placed on the disabled list on May 6 with inflammation of his right middle finger, which he says hurt his May 2 start. He was reactivated on June 12 and was optioned back to Triple A Norfolk.
On July 3, he was recalled from the minors and became part of the Mets' starting rotation. After a solid, if mediocre start off the DL, Maine had a start that could be said to have turned around his career. Starting pitcher Orlando Hernandez
Orlando Hernández
Orlando Hernández Pedroso , nicknamed "El Duque", is a former Cuban right-handed baseball pitcher....
was originally supposed to start against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, but early rain caused the Mets to put in Maine instead. He pitched a complete game shutout. That start continued a scoreless innings streak. Maine pitched a scoreless inning in relief, and then 22 scoreless innings over three starts, recording two wins and a no decision over that span. After his second scoreless outing, Mets manager Willie Randolph
Willie Randolph
Willie Larry Randolph is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and manager, most recently the third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles...
designated Maine as the rotation's fifth starter over higher-ranking prospect Mike Pelfrey.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
on August 12, Maine retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced before Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Nicholas Robert Johnson is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.He previously played for the New York Yankees , Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals , and the Florida Marlins...
hit a solo home run. The streak fell 5 2/3 innings short of Jerry Koosman
Jerry Koosman
Jerome Martin Koosman is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985...
's Mets franchise record. His streak was the longest ever by a Mets rookie starter, exceeding Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
and Anthony Young
Anthony Young (baseball player)
Anthony Wayne Young is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball . He is best known for losing 27 consecutive games in which he had a decision....
's 23-inning streaks by two. His 25 scoreless innings by a starter was the longest streak since Al Leiter threw 25 1/3 scoreless in .
On September 29, 2006, in his final at-bat of the season, Maine recorded his first major league hit, ending a streak of twenty-eight hitless at-bats.
Overall, Maine went 6–5 with a 3.60 ERA in 15 starts in his debut season for the Mets showing flashes of dominance such as his scoreless innings streak. His efforts helped the Mets win the National League Eastern Division. Despite his solid season, he was originally not expected to make a start in the postseason. However, after injuries sidelined both Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
and Orlando Hernández
Orlando Hernández
Orlando Hernández Pedroso , nicknamed "El Duque", is a former Cuban right-handed baseball pitcher....
, Maine found himself starting Game 1 of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Division Series
Division Series
In baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
for the Mets. In that game, he pitched 4 1/3 innings and got a no-decision. The Mets went on to win that game to give them a 1–0 lead in the Division series against the Dodgers. In the must win game 6 of the NLCS against the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
Maine went 5 1/3 and defeated defending Cy Young
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 22-year baseball career , he pitched for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937...
award winner in the National League Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
to force a game 7.
Maine went to the 2006 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series
Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series
The Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series is a set of games between All-Star teams from North America's Major League Baseball and Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The series takes place every even numbered year in the Tokyo Dome and other NPB home stadiums...
along with fellow teammates José Reyes and David Wright.
Maine started his campaign with a win against the Cardinals, holding St. Louis to one hit and no runs in seven innings. Maine's success against hitters in 2007 continued, and he posted a 15–10 record with a 3.91 ERA with 180 strikeouts in 191.0 innings pitched. Maine's off-season conditioning program helped him to pitcher deeper into ballgames, and he started to become one of the more dominant pitchers in the National League.
In April, he had a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
through 7 innings against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
before a single by Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
spoiled the bid. After a solid April in which he went 4–0 with a 1.35 ERA, Maine was named the National League Pitcher of the Month.
At the All-Star break, Maine led Mets starters with a 2.71 ERA, 93 strikeouts and was tied with Brad Penny
Brad Penny
Bradley Wayne "Brad" Penny is a Major League starting pitcher. Penny has spent portions of his career with the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers....
for the most wins in the NL at 10 each. Despite posting great numbers, he was not in the All-Star game, when asked if he expected to make the game, he said no.
On July 24, 2007, in the bottom of the 4th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Maine hit a 2-run home run to left field and received a curtain call. This was his first home run of his major league career. The Mets won 8–4, and Maine earned his 11th win of the season. Maine earned his Met-leading 12th victory against the Nationals on July 29, pitching a complete game shutout in a five inning rain-shortened game, giving up only a single hit.
As late as September 18, his 7.89 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched put him the top 10 among all qualified National League starting pitchers.
On September 29, 2007, Maine threw 7.2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit, and striking out 14 Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, leading the Mets to a 13–0 rout. Maine's 14 strikeouts were the most for a Mets starter in eight years; the Marlins' lone hit came with two outs in the eighth inning, an infield hit to the third base bag by Marlins' back-up catcher Paul Hoover (baseball)
Paul Hoover (baseball)
Paul Chester Hoover is an American professional baseball catcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He is officially listed as standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighing 220 pounds.-Professional career:...
. The no-hit
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
bid was nearly a mirror image of April 28, , when David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
threw 7.1 hitless innings before surrendering an infield hit or that of Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
in when a similar hit was given up and third baseman Ray Knight
Ray Knight
Charles Ray Knight is a former right-handed Major League Baseball third baseman best remembered for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets...
could not pick it up in time. John Maine has been heralded by Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
as something of a protege.
He entered the 2008 season as the Mets' number 3 starter. Maine received a raise by the Mets and earned $450,000. He ended the season with 25 starts, 140 innings, 10–8 win-loss record, and a 4.18 ERA.
The end of Maine's 2008 season was marred by injury. On August 4, Maine was put on the disabled list with a strained rotator cuff
Rotator cuff
In anatomy, the rotator cuff is the group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. The four muscles of the rotator cuff, along with the teres major muscle, the coracobrachialis muscle and the deltoid, make up the seven scapulohumeral muscles of the human body.-Function:The...
. He returned, making three more starts, but was then put back on the disabled list. On September 24, he again came off the disabled list but Manager Jerry Manuel did not allow him to pitch for fear of future injury. At season's end, he underwent surgery in which doctors removed a bone spur from his shoulder. The doctors were amazed at the size of the spur; they said it was the biggest they had ever seen. They were amazed that he was able to pitch in that condition.
He began throwing in December and was ready for spring training of 2009.
In January, the Mets avoided arbitration, signing Maine to a one-year, $2.6 million contract. Maine initially struggled coming off the shoulder surgery, posting a 5.40 ERA to go with a 1–2 record in four April starts. However, he bounced back in his six starts in May, going 4–1 with an ERA of 2.75, nearly half of his April ERA. After a poor start in June, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to arm fatigue. Maine would stay on the DL with arm fatigue and numerous setbacks for a long amount of time. He eventually came back in mid-September and was eased back into the rotation, going more than 5 innings only once. In his last start of the season against the Astros, he went 7.0 innings letting up one earned run with 7 strikeouts, with that encouraging start he gave the Mets more certainty that he can return to his '07 form in the 2010 season. He finished the 2009 season with a 7–6 win/loss record throwing 81.1 innings with an era of 4.43.
In January, the Mets and John Maine agreed to arbitration, signing Maine to a one-year, $3.3 million contract (with an additional $225,000 that can be earned in performance bonuses).
Maine has struggled with his performance and has spent additional time on the Disabled List. On May 20, in his ninth start of the season, he was taken out of the game after pitching to one batter. Maine stated that he was in good health, but Jerry Manuel
Jerry Manuel
Jerry Manuel , nicknamed "The Sage" is a former major league manager. He previously managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003 and the New York Mets from the middle of 2008 to 2010 and played in the majors for parts of five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Playing career:Manuel played...
ignored his request to stay in the game. Pitching coach Dan Warthen
Dan Warthen
Daniel Dean Warthen is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones Daniel Dean Warthen (born December 1, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn...
said that Maine had "habit" of not being truthful about his health.
On July 23, Maine had arthroscopic surgery to repair his shoulder and missed the remainder of the 2010 season.
Maine became a free agent after the 2010 season and signed with the Colorado Rockies, starting the 2011 season in the minor leagues.
Colorado Rockies
On February 17, 2011, Maine signed a minor league contract with the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, including an invitation to Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. On June 22, after pitching 45 innings with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
, recording a 7.43 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and 37 walks, Maine left the team and was reportedly considering retiring from baseball.