John Maine's agent Rex Gary told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York that his client "feels great" and is "throwing well" after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last July.

Gary also said that "teams are watching him closely," though we haven't heard much interest outside of the Phillies. Maine, 29, posted a 6.13 ERA over nine starts last season before undergoing surgery and has struggled to stay healthy since the 2008 season. He'll undoubtedly have to accept a minor league deal wherever he lands.

Free agent right-hander John Maine has begun auditioning for teams.

Maine has drawn very little interest since the Mets non-tendered him last month and the start of spring training is less than four weeks away. So the right-hander is being proactive, meeting up with teams and throwing bullpen sessions for them to prove that his shoulder, which was worked on last July, is back to full health. He's going to have to settle for a minor league contract.

John Maine's agent Rex Gary confirmed to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York that the Phillies, among other teams, have expressed interest in his client.

"We have spoken to a lot of teams and there is a lot of interest," said Gary. The Mets non-tendered Maine in December after he posted a 6.13 ERA over nine starts and underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July. He would likely have to accept a minor league deal wherever he lands.

Mets non-tendered RHP John Maine.

It's basically been a foregone conclusion since he walked off the mound at Nats Stadium on May 20. Maine made just nine starts with the Mets this season and underwent shoulder surgery in July. He'll probably have to accept a minor league deal this winter.

Mets transferred RHP John Maine from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Maine underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July and is expected to be non-tendered by the Mets in December. He was cleared in order to make room for Mike Nickeas on the roster.

John Maine underwent season-ending surgery Friday to clean out scar tissue in his right shoulder.

This kind of came out of nowhere, as the latest reports had Maine starting to throw again and a possible rehab assignment looming. But we can't be all that surprised, given that the right-hander has dealt with shoulder problems since the 2008 season. This likely ends Maine's tenure with the Mets.

John Maine (shoulder) will begin throwing to hitters next week.

A timetable for his return is not yet known. The right-hander is dealing with a severe case of tendinitis in his shoulder and has been on the shelf since late May. We'll continue to update you on his progress.

John Maine received a second opinion on his ailing right shoulder Wednesday and it was confirmed that he has no structural damage.

Maine is dealing with some fairly serious tendinitis, though, and will continue to rest until he is able to throw without discomfort. The big right-hander has been on the disabled list since late May and there is not timetable for his return. He had a 1-3 record and a 6.13 ERA before the injury.

John Maine (shoulder) did not visit a team doctor on Monday, as previously scheduled.

Maine felt discomfort in shoulder during his most recent rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday and was expected to be re-evaluated on Monday. As of now, there is "no timetable" for that meeting to take place. Either way, Mets manager Jerry Manuel has made it pretty clear that Maine isn't of much use to the major league team right now. The situation should be resolved soon.

The Mets may opt to shut down John Maine.

According to general manager Omar Minaya, Maine will be evaluated early this week and is unlikely to continue his rehab assignment. Maine was not able to get comfortable in his rehab outing on Friday, which raised concerns. The 29-year-old Maine was placed on the DL on May 21 with right shoulder tendinitis. It's very possible that he's thrown his last pitch with the organization, because Maine will likely be nontendered this offseason.

John Maine was not able to get comfortable in his last rehab outing, which has raised questions as to whether he'll be activated as previously thought.

"He wasn't very comfortable with how he's pitching," Mets' manager Jerry Manuel told ESPNNewYork.com. "We're going to have to reevaluate that situation." Maine's discomfort may well be a blessing in disguise for the Mets, since they still face the issue of having six pitchers for five rotation spots. If they can delay that decision for the time being, it will allow them to further evaluate R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi.

The Newark Star-Ledger reports that John Maine will not be placed in the bullpen when he returns, but neither will Hisanori Takahashi, leaving the Mets with six starters for five spots.

Speculation is running wild that the Mets will designate Maine for assignment when his rehab clock runs out, but there is another option. R.A. Dickey isn't going to win the rest of his starts, sorry Mets fans, and could be used out of the bullpen. That said, Maine's decreased velocity is a serious concern for the Mets and could be a reason to cut their losses with him. No decisions have been made yet, but expect them to come soon.

John Maine (shoulder) allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings in his second minor league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday night.

Maine allowed one hit while walking three and striking out four. He threw 50 of 88 pitches for strikes and was reportedly sitting in the 86-88 mph range with his fastball. The Mets hinted that he could need another rehab start and after Hisanori Takahashi's excellent effort against the Yankees on Friday, that will probably come to pass.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya said that John Maine (shoulder) might require another minor league rehab start after Friday's outing.

"We haven't decided that yet," said Minaya. "We'll see his next outing; we'll make a determination based on that." The Mets haven't ruled out Maine going to the bullpen upon his return, but he seems more likely to rejoin the starting rotation.

John Maine (shoulder) is scheduled to make a final rehab appearance on Friday at Triple-A Buffalo.

Maine hurled four innings of one-hit ball for the Mets' Double-A affiliate this weekend, hitting 88 MPH regularly. As long as things run smoothly on Friday he will be back in the big leagues by early next week.

John Maine (shoulder) will need at least a pair of rehab starts as he recovers from shoulder weakness.

Maine is likely to slot back into the Mets' rotation as soon as he returns, especially with Hisanori Takahashi struggling in his last few starts. Takahashi will start Saturday night in an effort to remain in the rotation even after Maine returns, but we'd have to believe it will take a set of above average efforts from Takahashi to keep his spot when Maine returns.

John Maine (shoulder) is scheduled to being a minor league rehab assignment on Sunday with Double-A Binghamton.

Maine threw up a 1-3 record, a 6.13 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP over his first nine starts this season for the Mets, so he's likely going to need several minor league appearances before the club will feel comfortable activating him. The right-hander has been on the disabled list since May 21.

John Maine threw a bullpen session at less than full strength on Friday, will do so again Saturday, and is scheduled to pitch batting practice on Tuesday.

Maine has been out since his start on May 20 when he left after a mere five pitches. He was 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP in his first nine starts, but was showing signs of life before this injury. Mid-June still seems like a realistic expectation for his return, though the Mets have not set a target date for his return.

Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said that John Maine (shoulder) will begin playing catch in New York on Tuesday.

There's no timetable for his return to the mound. Maine has been sidelined since a five-pitch outing against the Nationals on May 20. Though the right-hander originally denied anything was bothering him, an MRI last week revealed rotator cuff tendinitis. Maine is 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA over his first nine starts this season.

John Maine said doctors told him that he could pitch with shoulder tendinitis.

Maine originally refused to acknowledge the discomfort in his shoulder, but admitted that a DL-stint wouldn't be worst thing if the inflammation fades with rest. He figures to be on the comeback trail sometime next month.