They were also .500 in games against right-handed starters and against left-handed starters.

Appier is one of only two right-handed starters on the Mets, and he did not lose after July 24 last season.

Three right-handed starters who had filed for arbitration signed contracts with their teams yesterday.

"The Nats want an established lefty to go with their two young right-handed starters, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann," the site reports.

After the Appier acquisition gave the Mets two right-handed starters and two left-handers, Phillips talked about his preference for a fifth starter.

Converse, at 5-foot-10-inches one of the smallest right-handed starters in the league, employed a tailing fastball to accomplish most of his work.

When the Yankees face right-handed starters, Justice could be in left, with Chuck Knoblauch as the D.H. and Vizcaino at second.

He has batted seventh against the last four right-handed starters the Yankees have faced after hitting higher in the order after the trade.

Conversely, the eight right-handed starters the Yankees have seen are the fewest of any team.

The Mets are 14-11 against left-handed starters and 15-18 against right-handed starters.