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Mets pitchers prepared for season by capturing a shark

Mets pitcher Steven Matz (pictured) and Sean Gilmartin caught, you guessed it, a shark. (Getty Images)
Mets pitcher Steven Matz (pictured) and Sean Gilmartin caught, you guessed it, a shark. (Getty Images)

There are several methods players can use to prepare for the season.

We’re guessing the New York Mets would prefer it if pitchers Steven Matz and Sean Gilmartin ditched this one.

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On Tuesday, Matz and Gilmartin were on the waters attempting to catch some big game. They had some success too, as evidenced by this photo of the duo pulling a shark from the water.

No trick photography here. That’s a real shark. Just like the ones Ian Ziering and Tara Reid have protected us from during the recent outbreak of Sharknados.

The capture was actually part of filming for an extreme online fishing show known as “BlacktipH.” So it’s probably a little more comforting to know they were surrounded by people who have done this before.

Still … sharks!

According to the New York Post, general manager Sandy Alderson was aware they were going fishing but manager Terry Collins only learned of the excursion on Wednesday. Neither outwardly expressed concern, but we’re guessing both might have lost some sleep had they known sharks were involved.

Asked if he had talked to Matz about the pictures or video, general manager Sandy Alderson said he was aware that the two had gone fishing, but didn’t have an issue with it.

Terry Collins was unaware of the escapade, but said he was OK with it when he was told.

“Did he bite him?” Collins said of the shark.

When told Matz came away unscathed, Collins laughed and said, “Then it’s no problem.”

Hey guys, don’t overlook Gilmartin’s contributions to the show! He even captured a barracuda.

There might actually be some real upside here. If the two pitchers had no problem going face-to-face with actual sharks, they should have no issue going face-to-face with some of baseball’s best hitters this season.

Then again, facing a shark in its domain still might not be as daunting as facing Bryce Harper.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!