Torres' work in Mets' bullpen hard to ignore

NEW YORK -- Carlos Torres insists he doesn't care, but his manager says it's something the Mets at least need to consider. With the way Torres has been pitching, he might be earning himself a greater role in the later innings.

"We certainly have to take a look at it. Nobody's been more shocked when he walks a guy than I am, because he's a strike-throwing machine," Mets skipper Terry Collins said. "I think we've got to take a look at it."

In New York's 5-1 win over the Nationals on Saturday, Torres allowed one hit in two scoreless innings. He struck out the side in the eighth inning, when he said he threw more cutters than he did in the seventh.

Since the Mets called him up from Triple-A Las Vegas -- where he was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 12 starts -- on June 15, Torres has allowed only one run in nine innings.

That run came when he gave up a walk-off homer to Kevin Frandsen in the Mets' 8-7 loss to the Phillies last week, but Torres has been mostly effective out of the bullpen. Torres has nine strikeouts and two walks since joining the Mets. He's also shown he can get both lefties and righties out. Left-handed hitters are 1-for-13 against him, while right-handers are 3-for-18.

Even though the team might start using him later in the game, Collins warned against using Torres for individual innings. If the Mets need a spot starter, Torres is who they'd turn to.

"I don't want his innings to be one at a time," Collins said. "He needs to be lengthened out, because if we need a guy, he's it."

So far, Torres has been a solid addition to the bullpen. But he said he has no preference as to when he pitches.

"I don't care where they throw me in this game," Torres said. "Just as long as I get some innings."