Pedro Martinez threw 4.1 innings of a simulated game today in Florida. He threw 77 pitches and plans to have a bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday in Atlanta.
Great news for the Mets. If he’s still got something left in the tank it’ll be a huge boost for the team. He’s got to be motivated to get some innings pitched this season considering it’s his walk year.
Luis Castillo played today despite reports that he might be headed to the 15 day disabled list. He injured his quadriceps and missed two games. Hopefully, he can continue to play. If he has to go on the disabled list now it can’t be retroactive to the day he got hurt because he played in today’s game.
Pedro Martinez threw a well publicized simulated game in Florida yesterday. He had a 55 pitch workout and felt good afterward. His ailing hamstring doesn’t appear to be giving him any trouble. The plan is for him to throw another 75-80 pitch simulated game in about five days. Then he’ll be ready to begin pitching in rehab games. So we’re still looking at about three weeks before we’ll see him back with the team.
WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog just discussed several roster moves for the Mets today:
The purchase of Fernando Tatis’ contract is a bit of a surprise. Luis Castillo must be hurt enough so that the Mets feel like they need some infield insurance. Tatis can provide that if Castillo is out for a week or more.
Claudio Vargas will pitch Wednesday against the Nationals. Who knows what we’ll get from him? He was released by the Brewers for a reason, so don’t expect miracles from him. We should be thrilled to get five innings out of him. He was on the street a month ago.
The Nelson Figueroa dream comes to an end for now. He was a great story but just couldn’t get major league hitters out consistently. He was fantastic the first time through the order and may have been more suited for a relief role.
I’m ecstatic that Omar Minaya designated Sosa. This is best for the team despite the fact that they may have to eat $1.5 million of his salary if he doesn’t accept a minor league assignment. Joe Smith earned the right to stay on the team. I would’ve been livid if Minaya kept Sosa instead of Smith. It would have displayed a lack of concern for winning now. Not to mention the fact that it may have adversely affected Willie Randolph’s ability to keep his job. Good job Omar!
Relief pitcher Matt Wise is in New York and ready to be activated from the disabled list. Reports from MLB.com state that Joe Smith will be sent to New Orleans. Willie Randolph was non-committal about whether Smith or Jorge Sosa would go when Wise came back if you listened to his interview on WFAN yesterday.
I’d prefer to see the Mets DFA Jorge Sosa. His $2 million salary and poor performance would most likely preclude him from being claimed from waivers. If he decided to become a free agent it would be fine with me.
Joe Smith has done a nice job with the Mets and doesn’t deserve to be sent down to New Orleans.
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Backup catcher Ramon Castro was activated from the disabled list yesterday and Raul Casanova was designated for assignment. Hopefully, Casanova will clear waivers so he can stay with the Mets in New Orleans. He did a fantastic job while he was here.
Unfortunately for Casanova, Ramon Castro is the best backup catcher in baseball. It’s great to have him back with the team.
Pagan bruised his shoulder going after a pop up in Los Angeles yesterday. He made an tremendous catch but flipped over a short wall in left field into the stands.
It doesn’t sound serious and that’s great news for the Mets. Pagan has been making a really nice contribution so far this season.
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Pedro Martinez– Threw in Port St. Lucie last Friday and again on Tuesday. The Mets are just seeing how he feels after throwing before putting him up against live hitters.
Orlando (El Duque) Hernandez– Doctors allowed him to take the boot off that he’s been wearing. He’ll be in Port St. Lucie starting a light running and throwing program.
Matt Wise– He’s pitching in a Florida State League game today. The Mets will evaluate his performance. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list now. The Mets want to see how he looks pitching back to back days.
Angel Pagan– He flipped over the railing into the stands catching a fly ball in Los Angeles. He stayed in the game for another inning but Endy Chavez substituted in left field for him. It sounds like it isn’t anything serious.
The big decision for the Mets will come when Matt Wise comes back. Do they DFA Joe Smith or Jorge Sosa? That seems to be the logical choice. Smith has options so it would be easier to do it that way. The problem is that Smith has been more effective than Sosa. This is sure to create a big debate among us in the near future.
Read the full story at ESPN.
The Mets Report 