Image by Getty Images via Daylife Mets manager Jerry Manuel told reporters before tonight’s game that outfielder Ryan Church will be activated prior to Friday’s game against the Astros. He expects Church to be in the lineup Friday and Saturday, then get a day off on Sunday.
We’ve heard that Church is close to coming back from his post concussion syndrome before. But it sounds like this is legitimate.
The Mets got the news that Billy Wagner still has pain and swelling in his left elbow after being examined in New York. His return is unknown and there’s early speculation that he may not be back this season at all.
Wagner’s had a checkered record this season but he’s the only legitimate closer on the team. There isn’t a back up eighth inning guy that can walk in and take his place.
This could be a huge blow to the Mets playoff hopes if he can’t come back this season. Omar Minaya needs to work the phones for a waiver deal to see if he can work a team that’s out of contention for a legitimate closer.
The Mets did make a deal with Washington last week for Luis Ayala but he’s not the solution to this problem. Ambirorix Burgos is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and may be able to get on the roster by the end of August or September. But who knows what we’ll get out of him this season?
Image by Getty Images via Daylife
Billy Wagner pitched a simulated game in Pittsburgh on Saturday. He’s attempting to return from a stint on the disabled list for a problem with his left forearm. But he suffered a setback when his left elbow felt sore. He’ll return to New York today to be examined by the Mets medical staff. Obviously, he won’t come off the disabled list as planned tomorrow.
The Wagner setback leaves us crossing our fingers, holding our breath, or covering our eyes at the end of games into this week. As many saves as Wagner has blown this season, it’s still difficult to watch the patchwork bullpen working through close games in late inning situations.
Ryan Church was the designated hitter yesterday in the Gulf Coast League. He’ll return to New York to play with Brooklyn or Binghamton as inclement weather is expected in Florida. The Mets want him to keep playing games as much as possible. His next step is to play right field in a game tomorrow.
I’m still surprised that the Fernando Tatis and rookie platoon in left field has gone as well as it has since Church went on the disabled list.
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Image by Getty Images via Daylife
Closer Billy Wagner is scheduled to pitch a simulated game in Pittsburgh today. The plan is to activate Wagner from the disabled list on Monday when he becomes eligible.
Wagner pitched an inning on Thursday night in Bingamton and decided not to pitch another rehab game in Brooklyn today. He’ll be throwing to hitters in front of pitching coach Dan Warthen. If all goes well look for him to be available to pitch Monday in the final game of the series against the Pirates.
>The Mets Blog at NY Post is reporting that Ambiorix Burgos is pitching again after having Tommy John surgery last year. He pitched a scoreless inning today for the Gulf Coast Mets.
Of course, you remember that Burgos was acquired in the ill-fated trade with the Kansas City Royals for Brian Bannister.
Pitcher John Maine pitched a simulated game yesterday attempting to recover from a strained rotator cuff injury. He declared himself ready to pitch to the media assembled to track his every pitch. He threw three innings and plan to pitch a bullpen session today. The plan is for him to come off the disabled list and pitch against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
Luis Castillo has been playing rehab games in Port St. Lucie preparing to return from the disabled list from various hip/leg/knee injuries.
To make room on the roster for Castillo, the Mets may put Ramon Castro on the disabled list to give him time to recover from an ankle injury. The Mets thought he’d be okay to play by now but the ankle is still bothering him.
The Mets put closer Billy Wagner on the 15-day disabled list today after having X-rays and an MRI on his left forearm. It was diagnosed as a strain and requires rest.
Jerry Manuel told reporters that he’ll got with a closer by committee approach and give the struggling Aaron Heilman first crack at the job because he can get righties and lefties out.
Ruddy Lugo was called up to replace Wagner on the roster. He’s been starting games at Triple-A New Orleans. Lugo, the younger brother of Julio Lugo, will be the long man in the bullpen.
The Mets Report 