Gooden Scheduled to Start Comeback With Stint at Tidewater Tuesday Night

Dwight Gooden will pitch Tuesday night for the New York Mets’ Triple-A Tidewater team in his first outing since undergoing cocaine rehabilitation, the Associated Press learned Thursday.

Gooden, released from the Smithers Alcoholism and Treatment Center a week ago Wednesday after a 28-day stay, could start the International League game in Tidewater, Va., against Richmond.

Gooden will work either three innings or 50 pitches, whichever comes first.

The 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner pitched batting practice Thursday at Shea Stadium before the Mets’ exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Gooden has been throwing every other day in closed workouts at Shea.

“It felt good to be home again. I had good command of my breaking ball,” Gooden said in a statement released by the Mets. “It’s only the first time I’ve thrown from the mound here and I know there’s a long way to go.”

Gooden, 22, is scheduled to throw today, Saturday and Sunday at Shea under the supervision of Greg Pavlick, the Mets’ roving minor league pitching coach.

“He’s come along faster than I anticipated,” Met pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said after watching Gooden pitch to Wally Backman, Barry Lyons and Al Pedrique. “It’s been a long time waiting for this day.”