Mets’ Maine removed from game after one batter

WASHINGTON — New York Mets right-hander John Maine was lifted from Thursday night’s game against the Washington Nationals after throwing just five pitches for “precautionary reasons,” and he wasn’t happy about it.

After Maine walked Nyjer Morgan to start the bottom of the first, manager Jerry Manuel and pitching coach Dan Warthen walked to the mound and Manuel called for a Raul Valdes.

Warthen noticed that Maine, who has missed time with shoulder trouble, was throwing very slowly while he was warming up in the bullpen.

“When Dan came in from the bullpen, he mentioned to me that he wasn’t throwing over 80 mph,” Manuel said. “Once the game started, his pitches weren’t much faster,” and Manuel went to yank him.

“I told him I didn’t want to take a chance on him,” Manuel said. “He wanted to pitch. We got into a little exchange about that, and I told him I was trying to protect his best interests.”

Maine thought he was going to get a chance to loosen up.

“I guess they didn’t see 95 (mph). It was a little slow, but it was the first batter of the game. Cut me a little slack,” Maine said. “I’m well enough to pitch. I wanted to pitch.”

Maine could be seen questioning Manuel in the dugout afterward.

“I never got asked to really see how I was,” Maine said. “They just said I was out. That’s what upset me the most.”

Manuel said he’s concerned about Maine’s career — not just one game.

“I think it’s important to protect the young man’s arm,” Manuel said.

Maine will be examined by a doctor on Friday, the team announced during the game, but the right-hander said he wasn’t aware of it.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Maine was removed for “precautionary reasons.”

Maine came in with a 1-3 record and a 6.13 ERA. He’s won just once in nine starts this season.

Raul Valdes was already warming up in the bullpen as Maine pitched to Morgan when Manuel made the call. Valdes pitched five innings to earn the win in New York’s 10-7 win over Washington.