Mets Pelfrey May Have Tendenitis

Mike PelfreyStarting pitcher Mike Pelfrey reported to the team that he is experiencing some soreness in his forearm. It’s been diagnosed as tendinitis and may impact Pelfrey’s ability to make his next start on Sunday.

The good news is that this may explain Pelfrey’s two sub-par starts that he’s made so far this season. The bad news is that the Mets are counting on Pelfrey to put up some big numbers as their #2 starter this season.

From NY Post:

“Every year I get some kind of tendinitis two or three times, but never in the forearm,” Pelfrey said yesterday before the Mets faced the Padres at Citi Field. “I don’t think it’s to the point where I can’t get guys out.”

I think that we all have a tendency to blow these things out of proportion, including me. But tendinitis is very common and is easily treated. It can become a serious problem if it doesn’t heal properly though.

Mets Beat Sloppy Padres 7-2 April 15, 2009

Flickr photo courtesy of Rafael Amado Deras
Flickr photo courtesy of Rafael Amado Deras

Oliver Perez did a great job tonight going 6 innings with 1 run on 3 hits and 2 BB’s. It’s amazing how different he can be from start to start. He threw a lot more changeup’s than he has in the past. And I noticed that he wasn’t rocking his upper body in the “bowing” motion that he started last season. Clearly, he’s still trying to figure things out. Hopefully, he’s got something that works now.

The Mets took advantage of some extremely sloppy play by the Padres in the seventh inning scoring four runs. The Padres were throwing the ball around the infield like little leaguers. The two walks and an infield hit didn’t help things either.

Carlos Delgado hit one out to the overhang porch in right field for his 471st career homer. Gary Sheffield got his first start in right field. It was pretty uneventful going 0 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Daniel Murphy was absolutely brutal in left field blowing two plays. The league has already caught on to his defensive liability. The Padres were running on him in unusual situations. He also botched the easiest play he could make, he couldn’t even throw to home plate on a runner that was trying to score from second. He’s got no arm out there at all.

The Mets go to 4-4 on the season.

Box score

Game Preview: Padres at Mets [Game 8] April 15, 2009

San Diego Padres logoSan Diego Padres (6-2 Road: 1-0) at New York Mets (3-4 Home: 0-1) 7:10 pm

Kevin Correia (0-0 4.50) vs. Oliver Perez (0-1 16.62)

TV: SNY, ESPN2  RadioWFAN

What to watch: The Mets host baseball’s main celebration of Jackie Robinson Day at Citi Field. Expect there to be a big pre-game festivity on the field. Gary Sheffield gets his first start as a Met in right field. We have absolutely no idea what to expect from Oliver Perez tonight. He appears to be getting more erratic this season than ever, and that’s saying something. Hopefully, he can get back on track tonight and get the Mets first win at Citi Field.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans!

Mets 2009 Payroll May Increase

Omar MinayaI have to admit that I’m surprised to read a report at MLB.com that Mets GM Omar Minaya says that the team has the flexibility to add payroll this season. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised given that the Mets have some new revenue from Citi Field. But given the current economy I thought that the Mets would stand pat at just over $139 million. Only the Yankees are higher this season at $206.8 million.

If the Mets do make moves before the trading deadline this season the most likely acquisition targets would be starting pitching and right-handed hitting outfielders. The list of potential targets is pretty impressive and will likely grow as teams fall out of contention and look to dump salaries. The overall economy may even enhance the number of players that become available this season.

The likes of Roy Halladay, Jake Peavey, Maglio Ordonez, Eric Byrnes, and Matt Holliday figure to become available via trade at some point this season. Apparently, the Mets could be in on some of these players during the season.

Citi Field Celebrates Jackie Robinson

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress
Photo courtesy of Library of Congress

The Mets and Citi Field will host the celebration of 62 years since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier of baseball. The Citi Field Jackie Robinson Rotunda will be officially dedicated tonight. I’ve been critical of the Mets creating Citi Field as a celebration of New York’s baseball history but forgetting about the Mets. But it is nice on Jackie Robinson Day to have Citi Field be the center of the baseball world, at least for a day.

In the past few seasons, commissioner Bud Selig allowed players to wear Jackie’s number 42 that was universally retired in 1997. Some players wore it, and even some complete teams even wore the number. But today all teams will wear number 42.

I could go on about what Robinson did for baseball and the United States. But the real story is that the game that all of us love so much wouldn’t be anything like it is today if it wasn’t for Robinson. Now we have the chance to watch the best players in the world, not just the best white players. We’re all benefitting from what Robinson did.