Category: Injuries

Mets K-Rod In Boston Hospital

Francisco RodriguezBefore last night’s game Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was taken by ambulance to a Boston hospital. According to several media reports, he was running before the game when his back tightened up. He was worked on by a chiropractor in the visitors locker room and the situation became worse.

Several beat reporters wrote that K-Rod collapsed in the locker room and started crying. He was shielded from reporters and an ambulance was called.

J.J. Putz closed out the game against the Red Sox. We haven’t heard what the long-term situation is yet. But it doesn’t look good.

The only good news is that the Mets have Putz, an experienced closer. Unlike last season when Billy Wagner was lost for the season with an elbow injury, the Mets do have some good arms in the bullpen. The season isn’t totally lost because the closer is unavailable for some period of time.

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Mets Jose Reyes Avoids Disabled List

Jose ReyesMets shortstop Jose Reyes flew to Boston with the team last night, then took a flight to New York with head trainer Ray Ramirez according to the team. He had an MRI and saw a doctor today who diagnosed the condition that led him to miss five games as tendinitis behind his right calf.

It looks like Reyes will re-join the team for tomorrow night’s game against the Boston Red Sox and hope for the best. Judging by the fact that the Mets called up Ramon Martinez to replace Alex Cora on the roster, there really isn’t a good alternative in the minors if Reyes does have to go on the disabled list.

Unfortunately, we’ll probably be seeing more of Martinez at short in the Boston series. I’d like to see Fernando Tatis mixed in there just to have some offense out of the position as well.

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Mets Delgado Needs Surgery; Out Two Months

Carlos DelgadoBreaking news this afternoon that Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado will have surgery tomorrow to repair a torn labrum and remove a bone spur in his hip. The surgery will keep Delgado away from the team until mid-July. Unfortunately, this is the kind of thing that happens with older players in the last year or two of long term contracts. The Mets were bitten by similar situations with Pedro Martinez.

Delgado will be 37 years old in June and leaves the Mets with somewhat of a hole in the lineup and at first base. I don’t think the Mets will be pursuing a trade before the deadline in July as some of the baseball know-it-all’s have speculated in recent days.

Expect Fernando Tatis, Daniel Murphy, and Jeremy Reed to split time. Murphy can consider this an audition for next season when Delgado certainly will be gone from the Mets. I believe that he’ll have a hard time holding off Tatis for playing time. Tatis has proven that he’s more than capable in the field and has some good power in his bat. The only question is whether his warts will be exposed with increased playing time.

Not to be lost in this story is the foresight of Omar Minaya acquiring Gary Sheffield last month. He’ll have the next two months to prove that he’s still got that old lightning in his bat that the Tigers thought was gone when they released him.

If Delgado doesn’t look like he can make a successful comeback in July the Mets can pull the trigger ona deal before the trading deadline on July 31. Unless the Mets can get something for nothing, there’s no reason to hit the panic button yet.

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Mets Carlos Delgado On Disabled List

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

The Mets put first baseman Carlos Delgado on the disabled list retroactive to May 10, 2009. He hasn’t played because of soreness in his hip that hasn’t been relieved by the treatment he’s received from team trainers. He’s on his way back to New York to be examined by doctors and may require surgery to resolve the problem.

Angel Pagan will replace Delgado on the roster. He’s played in three games at Triple-A Buffalo hitting 4 for 14 (.286) with 2 triples and 2 RBI’s. Pagan had elbow surgery in March.

I expect to see Daniel Murphy, Fernando Tatis, and Jeremy Reed to split time at first base in Delgado’s absence. Murphy’s stint at first could be a preview for next season as Delgado’s contract end this year with the Mets.

This also means that Gary Sheffield will be playing almost every day in left field. Jerry Manuel feels that Sheffield adds the power to the lineup that’s missing without Delgado. Of course, this reduces Murphy’s playing time so he’ll need to get some at-bat’s at first base.

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Mets Putz Out Two Days

NEW YORK - APRIL 08: General manager Omar Min...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Mets GM Omar Minaya had a conference call with reporters this afternoon prior to the Mets game with the Giants. When there’s a last minute press conference on the west coast, I start thinking that the manager is getting fired. Isn’t that Minaya’s MO?

In this case Minaya told reporters that reliever J.J. Putz had an MRI on his right elbow that revealed inflammation and a bone spur. The bone spur has been there for a couple of years. Putz had a coritsone shot and won’t be able to pitch for a couple of days. That’s probably a good thing for the Mets right now. Putz has been bringing back bad memories of Aaron Heilman lately.

Minaya also gave an update on Carlos Delgado that didn’t help clear the air about his health. Basically, they’re waiting a few days to see if he starts to feel better after having some soreness in his hip.

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Mets Delgado May Go On Disabled List

Carlos Delgado, New York Mets
Image by Rafael Amado Deras via Flickr

Carlos Delgado missed another game last night due to his sore hip. The team has been reporting that it’s an issue he’ll have to deal with all season. But now we’re hearing that if it isn’t better in a few days that he might need to go on the 15-day DL.

Although Delgado has been hitting very well since last June, this won’t be a devastating loss to the team even if he’s out for an extended period of time. Fernando Tatis and Jeremy Reed can hold down first base for a while without a problem. Sure, they’ll lose some power but I like the way Tatis and Reed have been playing so far this season.

I’ve never been a big fan of Delgado’s anyway. I’ve made no secret of that here. He’s a one trick pony with power but really no other game. He’s terrible with the glove and inconsistent as a hitter. He’s the Mets best option right now at first base but I don’t expect him to be with the team after this season.

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Mets To Start Niese; Perez To DL

jon-nieseThe Mets finally found a way to get Oliver Perez off the 25-man roster. He had an MRI yesterday and was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right knee. Tendinitis can be varying in its severtity, so I wonder how bad it really is. But the Mets got their wish, Perez can go to the disabled list and then make some rehab starts in Florida to figure out his pitching problems.

Jonathan Niese is being called up from Triple-A Buffalo to start Friday night against the Pirates. Niese hasn’t been very good at Buffalo this season going 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA in 5 starts. I haven’t seen the big league potential in Niese that others have but I hope he can have more success against the resurgent Pirates than he’s had in the minors this season.

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