MET NOTES
A snap decision Jay Payton made more than a year ago will cost him the chance to play winter ball this offseason.
An effort by the Mets to reverse Payton’s suspension from the leagues have proved unsuccessful, leaving Payton with no place to go this offseason.
“They’re loss,” Payton told The Post. “It looks like they can’t un-suspend me.”
During the offseason between 1999 and 2000, Payton was supposed to play for Caracas in the Venezuelan League.
Payton’s flight to Caracas was canceled. When he went to exchange it for another ticket, he was told it was a no-value ticket and wasn’t good for another flight.
Instead of purchasing another ticket, Payton decided to stay home in Ohio. The Venezuelan League suspended him. Payton said the suspension prevents him from playing in the Mexican, Puerto Rican and the Dominican leagues as well.
Payton, who started last night, has hit better lately, going 5-for-15 (.333) on the homestand. Still, he knows that after missing two months with his hamstring problem and losing his every day center field job this year, it would be better if he could play this winter.
“I wanted to get some at-bats and work on some things,” Payton said.
Instead, Payton is going to hire someone to throw to him this winter.
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Bobby Valentine indicated that Timo Perez will likely not be re-called until the middle of next month, after the International League playoffs. … John Franco (elbow and ankle) was still hurting before last night’s game. Both Valentine and Franco said he could pitch, if needed last night. …
Ex-Met Todd Pratt is playing regularly in Philadelphia. Both Pratt and Valentine said they weren’t surprised, because Pratt’s right throwing elbow is healthy now. Pratt, who dealt with the injury during the spring, entered last night hitting .306 with the Phillies. …
Phillie closer Jose Mesa is unavailable as he serves a two-game suspension. … Sources confirmed that the Mets have talked to the Tigers about lefty C.J. Nitkowski, a St. John’s alum.
“He’s got good stuff,” a source from one of three organizations that have had Nitkowski. “He’s never been a guy who trusts his stuff. He’s a very bright guy. He might be too smart for his own good. He might think too much.”