Recently called up reliever Mets leftie Ken Takahashi may not make his first start this Friday.  According to Newsday, pitching coach Dan Warthen seemed to indicate that skipper Jerry Manuel may be waivering on his original decision.

“Right now. But that could change.” said Warthen regarding Takahashi’s possible first start against Pittsburgh.  “Talk to Jerry [Manuel].”

Manuel was unavailable for comment according to the publication.

Oliver Perez’s woes are opening the door for reliever Ken Takahashi.  We told you last week about Takahashi’s long journey to the majors.  Well, now it looks like the left hander may be on the fast track to becoming a starting pitcher.

“He’s not [stretched out], but you know me, I could throw him out there,” Mets skipper Jerry Manuel told the NY Post of Takahashi’s potential switch. “I was impressed with Takahashi. That was a find for us.”

Facing a potent Philadelphia Phillies lineup in his first MLB action, Takahashi lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit.  

According to published reports, Takahashi – a former starter in the Japanese leagues – could enter the rotation as early as this Friday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Manuel did say that a low pitch count would be in effect in that event.

The joy and excitement that accompanies the first call-up of a player’s career isn’t diminished by age.

Ask New York Mets reliever Ken Takahashi.

The 39-year-old left hander isn’t exactly a doe-eyed rookie who’ll get star struck at the sight of superstars like Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran.  No, Takahashi’s 14 years of professional experience with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp makes him one of the most seasoned rookies in the Major Leagues.  

But Takahashi’s mileage doesn’t diminish his initiation into the majors or what he’s accomplished.  After nearly a decade and a half of playing baseball, Takahashi received his first big-league call-up on Sunday night following the Mets 8-1 loss to the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Signed to a Minor League contract on March 31 by the Mets, Takahashi’s journey started in February when he was imported into Canada by the Toronto Blue Jays.  After an unsuccessful attempt to win a roster spot through Jays training camp and his subsequent release, the Mets took a chance on the Japanese leftie following Oliver Perez’s poor showing two days ago.

According to MLB.com, Mets skipper Jerry Manuel has indicated that Takahashi may be utilized in a long-relief role.

Takahashi appeared in six games with the Mets’ Triple-A Buffalo affiliate this season, producing a 0.77 ERA in 11 2/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and six walks and struck out nine. He was 66-87 in 433 games, 160 starts for Hiroshima over his career.

Stay tuned.  We’ll give you an update on Takahashi’s big league debut after it happens.