Tough Chaw for Harnisch

New York Mets starter Pete Harnisch, who is suffering from depression and insomnia, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

Harnisch, who was sent home to New York on Sunday, met with psychiatrist Allan Lans, director of the Mets’ employee assistance program, and underwent a battery of physical examinations that ruled out Lyme disease.

Harnisch, 30, was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday because he was not “mentally prepared” to pitch. He said he simply has been struggling emotionally since giving up smokeless tobacco three weeks ago.

Yet, doctors have not verified this is the cause for his depression, and will run more tests today.

“I still think there’s a chance that this thing is related to quitting nicotine,” Mets’ Manager Bobby Valentine said. “He just hasn’t been the same lately. He wasn’t as loud as he usually is. He just wasn’t into it.”

Harnisch is eligible to come off the disabled list April 17.

Harnisch’s teammates believe he will return to the mound, but said Monday they had a fear of possible repercussions when Harnisch informed them of his decision.

“When he talked about quitting [tobacco chewing],” Met catcher Todd Hundley said, “I said, ‘Why now, man? Why not quit in the winter when you have less stress on you?’ There’s no way I’d do it now, that’s for damn sure.

“I tried it four years ago in the winter, quit for about five months, so I know what he’s going through. It gets to you. He’s always talking and outspoken and loud. He’s been so quiet the last week or so.”

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The Dodgers had several conversations with agent Alan Meersand in an attempt to sign free-agent outfielder Darrin Jackson to their triple-A Albuquerque team, but Jackson declined, saying he is interested only in playing at the major league level.

Jackson instead has decided to join the Boston Red Sox’s extended camp in Fort Meyers, Fla. He signed an agreement that will require the Red Sox to either put him on their 25-man roster or release him within 48 hours if another team is willing to put him on its roster.

“Darrin was interested,” Meersand said, “but the Dodgers just couldn’t make us any promises. We felt this was a better opportunity.”

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The Dodgers still have had no offers for knuckleballer Tom Candiotti, nor do they appear in a real hurry to move him. Candiotti has pitched five scoreless innings of relief.