"The Mets signed Chris Young with the hope that his fragile right shoulder will stay in one piece.

They get their first look at Young in meaningful action tonight, when he is scheduled to make his season debut in Philadelphia against Cole Hamels.

"It's a big start for him, but he's so even-keeled, it's not going to affect him," said Young's coach at Princeton, Scott Bradley, the former Yankees catcher who still works with Young in the offseason. "He finished strong last year and was pleased with spring training, so there's no reason not to be optimistic."

Others might disagree, since Young, whom the Mets signed this winter to a one-year deal, has not pitched a full season since 2007.

"There might be some pressure ordinarily, but not for him," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "He's very intellectual and therefore very aware of his strengths and weaknesses, so I'd be surprised if he let anything get to him. And he's coming off an uneventful spring training, which was the best thing that could have happened."

Young also was encouraged after finishing the spring with a 1.78 ERA in 25 1/3 innings while reporting no physical trouble.

"I feel good," Young said. "I've made some good strides. I think my arm strength's increased, breaking ball's gotten sharper, command's better. It was a good spring training."

Still, an uneventful spring on the heels of three good starts last September hardly puts any issues to rest. Bradley was just as encouraged by their offseason workouts."