Category: Injuries

Video: Mets’ K-Rod Out For 2010

New York Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is escorted by police for his arraignment on a third-degree assault charge at Queens Criminal Court in New York August 12, 2010. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL CRIME LAW)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsI didn’t really think there was much left in the tank for the Mets this season anyway. But the news today that Francisco Rodriguez is done for the year seals the deal. He tore a ligament in his pitching hand thumb putting a beat-down on his girlfriend’s father.

It’s really ridiculous that it’s come to this. But the word is that the Mets may try to void the rest of K-Rod’s contract for sustaining a non-baseball injury. I’m not so sure they could void 2011 and the vesting option for 2012 if he’s healthy and ready to play. I could see the Mets trying to recover the $3 million they owe him for the rest of 2010 though.

Here’s some video from ESPN on the issue:

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf

Carlos Beltran’s Future with the Mets

July 23, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..Mets Carlos Beltran in action during the Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Mets defeated the Dodgers, 6-1..Josh Thompson/CSM.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsIt’s been over two weeks since Carlos Beltran’s return from his knee injury and you can just about stick a fork in the Mets. Prior to his return, I was cautiously optimistic that Beltran would be capable of igniting a power surge in the middle of the lineup. This has not been the case. Instead, we’ve seen him not be able to bat his weight and not be able to display his graceful mobility in center field, suggesting that he is better suited for a corner outfield position at this stage in his career. With another month and half left of what just about promises to be meaningless baseball, Carlos Beltran’s future can be a topic of discussion.

Should the Mets shop him around to other teams this off-season or no? He is Carlos Beltran, and when healthy, he undoubtedly provides a game changing presence. My answer to that question is ‘no’ based on the fact that he will be playing for a new contract in 2011 with his biggest fan Scott Boras by his side. Beltran also has a full no-trade clause and would likely request a contract extension and only accept a trade to a few teams to waive that clause. Continue reading “Carlos Beltran’s Future with the Mets”

John Maine Surgery Ends 2010 Season, Mets Career

NEW YORK - MAY 09: John Maine #33 of the New ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The beat reporters are all writing that John Maine had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder yesterday and is done for the season. His career with the Mets is done as well. It’s a virtual lock that the Mets will non-tender Maine after this season. He has absolutely no value to the organization anymore, especially being arbitration eligible.

Maine’s career with the Mets started with such promise after being acquired from Baltimore in the Kris Benson deal in 2005. The highlight of his Mets career was his 2007 season going 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA.

His Mets career stats are below:

Year Age Tm Lg W L W-L% ERA G GS GF CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP
2006 25 NYM NL 6 5 .545 3.60 16 15 1 1 1 0 90.0 69 40 36 15 33 71 1.133
2007 26 NYM NL 15 10 .600 3.91 32 32 0 1 1 0 191.0 168 90 83 23 75 180 1.272
2008 27 NYM NL 10 8 .556 4.18 25 25 0 0 0 0 140.0 122 70 65 16 67 122 1.350
2009 28 NYM NL 7 6 .538 4.43 15 15 0 0 0 0 81.1 67 42 40 8 38 55 1.291
2010 29 NYM NL 1 3 .250 6.13 9 9 0 0 0 0 39.2 47 29 27 8 25 39 1.815
NYM (5 yrs) 39 32 .549 4.17 97 96 1 2 2 0 542.0 473 271 251 70 238 467 1.312
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/24/2010.
Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Mets Perez Returns, Turner Out

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Starting pitcher #46...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

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.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

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.

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Mets Oliver Perez Bullpen Session Today

New York Mets pitcher Oliver Perez reacts after giving up a double to Florida Marlins batter Cody Ross during the third inning of their MLB National League baseball game in Miami, Florida May 14, 2010. REUTERS/Rhona Wise (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsOliver Perez arrived in Arizona yesterday but hasn’t been activated from the disabled list yet. The plan is for him to work a bullpen session this afternoon and be evaluated by the team. Perez has the right to demand that his rehab period end but hasn’t done that yet. If the Mets don’t like what they see, they may ask him if he’ll extend his rehab.

Perez has been on the DL since June 1 with knee tendinitis. The injury and DL trip was so suspicious that MLB investigated but ultimately decided it was legitimate.

We’ve heard comments from Jerry Manuel that Perez will return to the bullpen when he comes off the DL. Hisanori Takahashi will make his next start in Los Angeles on Thursday despite his ineffectiveness.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Mets Need Luis Castillo to Step Up

Luis Castillo batting for the New York Mets on...
Image via Wikipedia

Some credited him with a quietly solid 2009 campaign, others couldn’t look past the memory of his dropped pop-up against the Yankees. Luis Castillo has seemingly been synonymous with Mets’ failure since arriving during the 2007 season. I for one can blame Castillo for keeping me up at night with nightmares of constant 6-3 put-outs. Regardless of his past with the team, and his nauseating contract, Castillo will return to the lineup with hopes of having a positive impact on the remainder of the 2010 Mets season.

As much as most fans despise Castillo for his aging knees, slap style of hitting, and depleting range at second base, the Mets will need him to make things happen for them if they hope to stay in contention.

Right now the bottom of the Mets lineup has gotten very little production. Jeff Francoeur wakes up every morning with an 0 and 2 count, Rod Barajas hasn’t driven in a run since the oil spill, and the tandem of Ruben Tejada and Alex Cora wasn’t exactly posing an offensive threat either.

Castillo’s return to the lineup will allow Cora to be relegated to the role of bench player where he belongs, and will send Ruben Tejada back to Buffalo where he belongs. In addition, Castillo can provide some maturity to the bottom of the Mets order, as long as Angel Pagan is in the lineup. He’ll be counted on to work counts (something Barajas and Francoeur are incapable of doing), get on base, and basically just ignite any kind of spark that he has left. Continue reading “Mets Need Luis Castillo to Step Up”