Category: Minors

Mets Perez Returns, Turner Out

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Starting pitcher #46...
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In a surprising move, the Mets activated Oliver Perez and shipped out Justin Turner. Turner heads back to Triple-A Buffalo. The Mets will continue to carry three catchers plus Alex Cora, Chris Carter, and Jeff Francoeur on the bench.

Keeping three catchers on the roster seems like an unsustainable strategy. Josh Thole has earned the right to be on the Mets roster. Rod Barajas has earned a trip to the waiver wire. It’s that simple.

As far as Perez goes, we’ll see how Manuel uses him. I have a feeling he’ll be doing mop-up duty and that’s about it.

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Video: Oliver Perez in Arizona

May 09, 2010 - Queens, NEW YORK, United States - epa02150562 New York Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez firing a pitch to home plate to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Citi Field, in Queens, New York, USA, 09 May 2010.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe day we all feared is here. It looks like Oliver Perez will be activated from the disabled list today. Likely, Josh Thole will be sent down to Triple-A Buffalo but we’ll find out for sure later this afternoon.

Perez threw in the bullpen in front of Dan Warthen and Jerry Manuel yesterday. From their comments, they didn’t sound impressed. Manuel said that Perez will be the second lefty out of the bullpen and he’ll try to find spots to use him. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Perez’ return to the team.

I’m really disappointed to see Thole leave, if that’s what they decide to do. I understand that he has options and that’s a factor. But Rod Barajas certainly isn’t in the Mets long term plans. And there’s hardly anything left on his 1-year contract. They could easily release Barajas and go with Thole and Henry Blanco.

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Video: Jose Reyes May Return Sunday

NEW YORK - JULY 10: David Wright #5 of the Ne...
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The Mets have been shut out by the Giants in two straight games. The offense has been almost non-existent and for the last two seasons we’ve been talking about how the Mets don’t click when Jose Reyes doesn’t play. He’s been out of the lineup since he left the game on July 10 against the Braves and missed the All-Star game.

Jerry Manuel explains to reporters below what they’re seeing from Reyes’ oblique injury and what he needs to do to return to the lineup. The Mets even called up Justin Turner and optioned Nick Evans to Buffalo to add some middle infield support in Reyes’ absence.

It’s getting a little tiring to hear day after day that he could return “tomorrow”. And tomorrow doesn’t seem to happen. Take Manuel’s words with a grain of salt in the video below.

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Video: Binghamton Mets 2010 All-Stars

Here’s a promotional video from the B-Mets for their three Eastern League All-Stars Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Nickeas, and Josh Stinson. All three are having really good seasons, especially Nieuwenhuis. He may even see some time with the big club in September if he keeps it up. Check out their stats at the B-Mets site.

Jose Reyes Out of 2010 All-Star Game

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes throws out New York Yankees batter Kevin Russo at first base to end the sixth inning of their MLB inter-league baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 19, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets got some more bad news today. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Mike Pelfrey wasn’t able to find it again. Jose Reyes left the game in the top of the seventh after making a throw from short to first.

David Wright called the trainers out to Reyes’ dismay. He wanted to stay in the game. The oblique injury flared up on him again. It’s clear that he isn’t well enough to be playing. He’s hit right-handed against righties for the last two days.

Reyes told reporters after the game that he won’t be able to play in the All-Star game. Rafael Furcal of the Dodgers will replace him on the All-Star roster.

I’m not sure where the Mets would look if he needs to go back on the disabled list. Reese Havens is tearing it up at Binghamton but he’s on the 7-day DL there. He would have been the obvious choice to come up and play second base and leave Ruben Tejada at short. If he can’t play, I’m not sure who they’ll add to the roster.

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Mets Minor League Update: Lucas Duda

Lucas Duda
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Watch out Fernando Martinez, there’s another corner outfielder who is gaining ground on your prospect mojo.

Lucas Duda received International League Offensive Player of the Week accolades last week after blasting five home runs in 23 AB’s. Duda finished the week with a .304/.433/1.000 clip at the plate for the week. Duda has 22 RBI and 23 total hits for AAA Buffalo since his promotion from Binghamton. Impressively, that promotion came on June 14th. The USC product only has 20 games at the AAA level under his belt.

The 24-year-old has made a splash onto the AAA scene, and has impressed scouts at all levels of the farm, but not so much with his power until now. Duda supplanted himself into the Buffalo record books by going yard in five consecutive games last week. After being drafted by the Mets in the 7th round of the 2007 draft, Duda has only tallied 24 home runs in his three full seasons of professional ball. Clearly, Duda is maturing at the plate and putting his 6’5 240 lb frame to good use. Continue reading “Mets Minor League Update: Lucas Duda”

Mets’ Beltran and Perez Recovering

St. Lucie Mets
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Last night Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez played a rehab game for St. Lucie. For Beltran it was the second straight game he played the full game since his knee surgery. He’s expected to return to the Mets on July 15 in San Francisco. He hasn’t played for the Mets since Oct. 4, 2009.

Perez pitched for St. Lucie going 5.2 IP for the win. He allowed 2 hits and 2 runs while getting 7 strikeouts. He’s been on the Mets’ DL since June5 with knee tendinitis. It’s unclear when he’ll be returning to the Mets and whether he’ll be headed back to the bullpen or not.

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