Keep an eye on the Mets news today for the results of Billy Wagner’s MRI that’s scheduled for this morning on his sore left forearm. His post game comments from Houston sounded like a guy that was headed to the disabled list.
The Mets will dodge a major bullet if Wagner is able to stay on the active roster. He just had another MRI two weeks ago when his shoulder was sore.
Stay tuned…
The Mets announced before the game today in Houston that John Maine will be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of the mild rotator cuff injury he sustained in Florida on Monday. His DL was backdated so he’s eligible to come off and pitch against Washington a week from Wednesday.
Billy Wagner is on his way back to New York after feeling stiffness in his left forearm. He’ll have an MRI which is his second in two weeks.
Eddie Kunz will take John Maine’s roster spot after being called up from Double-A Binghamton.
Luis Castillo started playing rehab games in Port St. Lucie preparing to come back from the disabled list. He’s been on the DL since July 3rd with a strained left hip flexor. The word is that he could be ready to return to the Mets next week.
This is going to be a particularly hot topic when he comes back because undoubtedly he’ll replace Argenis Reyes on the roster. A. Reyes has been playing really well in Castillo’s absence as has Damion Easley. Frankly, it seems like the Mets have improved at second base since Castillo went on the DL.
My sense is that Argenis has become somewhat of a fan favorite during his tenure on the roster. He’s been friends with Jose Reyes since they were kids and he seems to have a real knack for situational hitting.
Easley’s been nothing short of terrific as well. He’s making great plays in the field and hitting with power. Castillo may have a dog fight on his hands to get playing time at second base when he gets back. The thing is he’s making $6 million this year and the Mets want to get their moneys worth out of him.
Marlon Anderson is headed for the disabled list with a hamstring injury. He’s been struggling through that for a couple of months now. He hasn’t hit much this season at all to the tune of .222/ .259/ .294. Considering that he’s a liability in the outfield, his value to the team is very limited right now.
David Lennon of Newsday reports that Dan Murphy is on his way to Houston from New Orleans and the roster move will be made official when Murphy arrives.
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeJohn Maine was diagnosed with a mild rotator cuff strain and will miss his next scheduled start. The Mets are off Monday before playing 23 consecutive games. So they should be able to work the off day into the plan without needing to find another starter to take Maine’s place.
Maine was pulled from his last start on Monday in Miami during the fifth inning due to the shoulder pain he was experiencing. As I’ve written before, it was a good decision by Jerry Manuel to pull him early from the game. Maine is one of the most valuable players the Mets have due to his skill, age, and contract status.
Maine told reporters that he feels good after not throwing for three straight days. His plan going forward is for light throwing today and working off the mound in Houston tomorrow.
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeI haven’t heard a word about Orlando Hernandez in quite some time. A couple of weeks ago he left a rehab game with Binghamton because of pain in his right foot. The same foot that’s been bothering him since last season because of a bunion.
Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports that Mets vice president Tony Bernazard told him that El Duque isn’t close to returning. He hasn’t pitched off a mound since leaving the game with Binghamton. They’re waiting for a special shoe to be built for El Duque.
It’s August already, so I’m not counting on getting anything out of El Duque this season. Fortunately, it’s the last season of his contract with the Mets. So he’ll be gone next year and the $6 million that he’s making can be put into a productive player.
The Mets list John Maine as day-to-day after an MRI yesterday revealed a mild strain to his rotator cuff. Maine’s next scheduled start is in Houston on Sunday. The Mets have off days tomorrow and Monday, plus Pedro Martinez is re-joining the team from his bereavement leave. So the general consensus seems to be that the Mets will skip a start for Maine and let him heal up.
The Mets Report 