Image via WikipediaDuaner Sanchez pitched the eighth inning for the New Orleans Zephyrs again tonight against the Round Rock Express. He didn’t give up any hits or walks and had one strikeout. I’m sure that the Mets will want to see how his arm feels tomorrow. Hopefully, he’ll be on his way to New York for the Nationals series beginning on Tuesday.
Image via WikipediaNew York- Johan Santana’s (1-2) first start at Shea Stadium for the Mets didn’t go as planned. He took the loss after going 6.2 innings giving up six hits (three home runs), two walks, and five runs (four earned). He also had two wild pitches and seven strikeouts.
Ben Sheets (2-0) was the story of the day. He overcame some early trouble to pitch 7.2 innings while giving up five hits and two walks, and allowing three earned runs.
The Brewers had three home runs today by Bill Hall, Rickie Weeks, and Gabe Kapler. David Wright did hit a homer off Ben Sheets in the eighth but had two errors in the field.
The Brewers and Mets play the rubber game of the series tomorrow at 1:10pm with Oliver Perez (1-0) going against Jeff Suppan (1-0).
Now that we’ve come down from the dream story that Nelson Figueroa was last night it’s time to get real about his roster spot. I’ve read and heard so much from the media and blogs about the “Hometown boy makes good” story. SNY went on ad nauseam about the tale.
If you read this blog regulary, you saw that I wrote that Figueroa pitched a wonderful game last night. I really like his stuff and composure on the mound. He’s obviously got terrific family and friends pulling for him (as were all Mets fans). I loved what I saw from him last night.
That being said, Figueroa’s spot on the roster is going to call for some decisions in the future. Part of his value is that he’s only working on a one-year minor league contract. That gives the Mets flexibility to move him up and down from the minors. There aren’t too many players on the roster with that flexibility.
When, and if, Pedro Martinez, Duaner Sanchez, and Orlando Hernandez come back to the team there will have to be some roster moves to make room. I would guess that Carlos Muniz would be the first player to go down to the minors when Sanchez comes back as early as Tuesday.
Martinez and Hernandez may not be back for quite some time. When they do come back, Figueroa’s roster spot will become much more precarious. The Mets management will be forced to make a decision between keeping Mike Pelfrey and Figueroa on the major league roster. Take a look at the Mets active roster here. Who do you think should leave when Martinez comes back?
It would seem that Figueroa and Pelfrey will be competing for the one open roster spot when Martinez returns. I like that Pelfrey has someone with some talent that’s pushing him to focus and throw strikes. Frankly, I like Figueroa for the swing man role better than Jorge Sosa but that’s not going to happen. Sosa’s got a one-year $2 million major league contract so he’s not going anywhere barring a performance disaster on his part.
The only flexibility outside of the pitchers on the roster is with Brady Clark. He’s also working on a one-year minor league contract but will most likely be sent down when Moises Alou comes back. If Alou has a setback returning from his hernia surgery, that could give the Mets some flexibility to keep Figueroa and Pelfrey when Martinez returns. But I doubt that the Mets would keep 13 pitchers.
The conclusion is that I like what I saw last night and believe that Figueroa can give Pelfrey a serious threat of being sent back to the minors if he doesn’t consistently pitch well. Even though Pelfrey is one of the Mets top prospects, the Mets need to win games now and Figueroa might be a better option for this season.
A quick update on Duaner Sanchez’ performance: last night he pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the New Orleans Zephyrs against the Round Rock Express giving up only one walk and no hits. He’s scheduled to pitch again tonight at 7:05pm against Round Rock (jointly owned by former Met Nolan Ryan).
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy with WFAN’s Joe & Evan from April 11, 2008.
Milwaukee Brewers (6-4) at New York Mets (5-4) 1:10pm TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
Ben Sheets (1-0) vs. Johan Santana (1-1)
What to watch: This is a big-time premium pitching match up, ace vs. ace. Luis Castillo should return to the lineup for the Mets and Jose Reyes will probably be out with a tight hamstring.
Image via WikipediaDuaner Sanchez is pitching tonight and tomorrow for Triple-A New Orleans in Round Rock, TX. Sanchez may return to the Mets next week if his arm responds to pitching in consecutive days. His return would be a welcome addition to the bullpen and mean a return trip to the minors for Carlos Muniz. Sanchez could reclaim the eighth inning role and move Aaron Heilman up the seventh inning.
The Mets Report 