Category: Injuries

Mets Fans: Don’t Blame Jerry Manuel

May 21, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - JERRY MANUEL during the Mets vs Yankees at Citi Field in Flushing NY. The Yanks won 2-1.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe axe always falls on the manager. This is the way the world works and it comes with the territory. There are things that we can rightfully question Jerry about. There are, however, things that he has to do, despite what we’d like to see happen. These are some of those unavoidable scenarios we will have to brace for.

1. K-Rod is coming in

Deal with it folks. We are going to win or lose with K-Rod in the 9th. The Mets cannot reach the post season without a closer shutting the door in the last inning. Johan Santana pitched 8 amazing innings and everyone is fed up with him losing victories, but there is nothing Manuel can do. It is up to the Mets bullpen to clinch those wins for Santana and The Mets bats to give him run support. Johan, of all people, is off elbow surgery and is not getting any younger. We cannot expect him to throw complete games every time. K-Rod will also need to work through this mess. The only way to get your stride back is in the game. If Manuel starts displaying a lack of confidence in K-Rod the situation will not magically improve itself. Our bullpen is already a shaky one. The last thing we need is to start meddling around with other closer options.

2. Luis Castillo is going to play

Castillo has become a symbol of the troubles the Mets have faced the last few seasons. He has taken a lot of heat from fans because of his ridiculous contract and of course “the drop” in Yankee Stadium. Although he can be irritating at times, Castillo is our best option at second. He gets on base and knows how to work a pitcher. Manuel may dislike him more than any of us, but like K-Rod, we are stuck with this contract. For as much as young talent excites the fan base, Ruben Tejada has been over matched at the plate. He is simply not ready to hit at the major league level. Castillo’s skill set may be diminishing but he gives us the best chance to win. Continue reading “Mets Fans: Don’t Blame Jerry Manuel”

Video: Jose Reyes May Return Sunday

NEW YORK - JULY 10: David Wright #5 of the Ne...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Mets have been shut out by the Giants in two straight games. The offense has been almost non-existent and for the last two seasons we’ve been talking about how the Mets don’t click when Jose Reyes doesn’t play. He’s been out of the lineup since he left the game on July 10 against the Braves and missed the All-Star game.

Jerry Manuel explains to reporters below what they’re seeing from Reyes’ oblique injury and what he needs to do to return to the lineup. The Mets even called up Justin Turner and optioned Nick Evans to Buffalo to add some middle infield support in Reyes’ absence.

It’s getting a little tiring to hear day after day that he could return “tomorrow”. And tomorrow doesn’t seem to happen. Take Manuel’s words with a grain of salt in the video below.

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

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Mets’ Carlos Beltran Returns From DL

New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran (15) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Nationals on September 18, 2008 at Nationals Park in Washington. (UPI Photo/Mark Goldman) Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets made room on the roster for Carlos Beltran by optioning Jesus Feliciano to Triple-A Buffalo after yesterday’s game. Jerry Manuel has told reporters that Beltran will slot into the cleanup spot and start on Thursday in center field. It’s too bad for Feliciano. He hit .278 in 54 at-bats and did a nice job. He’s no All-Star but I like his game as a solid fielder and a consistent bat off the bench.

Manuel also told reporters that Angel Pagan will start in right field on Thursday in San Francisco. Jeff Francoeur will hit the bench. Clearly, that’s the right decision. There’s no way that Francoeur deserves to play over Pagan. Pagan’s game is so much more dynamic with his ability to hit consistently and the speed he has.

When asked by reporters if he thought he would be rusty at the plate:

“Who knows? I mean, the way I played in Port St. Lucie, I think I swung the bat well. But at the big league level it’s a different story,” Beltran said. “I do feel like I need to make adjustments. It will take me time. I don’t expect to come here and rake. I just expect to come here and like I say, do my part. Being able to contribute any way I can, and I believe in that.”

You can listen to Beltran’s interview from Citi Field yesterday with Wayne Hagin of WFAN.

Carlos Beltran audio

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Jose Reyes Out of 2010 All-Star Game

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes throws out New York Yankees batter Kevin Russo at first base to end the sixth inning of their MLB inter-league baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 19, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets got some more bad news today. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Mike Pelfrey wasn’t able to find it again. Jose Reyes left the game in the top of the seventh after making a throw from short to first.

David Wright called the trainers out to Reyes’ dismay. He wanted to stay in the game. The oblique injury flared up on him again. It’s clear that he isn’t well enough to be playing. He’s hit right-handed against righties for the last two days.

Reyes told reporters after the game that he won’t be able to play in the All-Star game. Rafael Furcal of the Dodgers will replace him on the All-Star roster.

I’m not sure where the Mets would look if he needs to go back on the disabled list. Reese Havens is tearing it up at Binghamton but he’s on the 7-day DL there. He would have been the obvious choice to come up and play second base and leave Ruben Tejada at short. If he can’t play, I’m not sure who they’ll add to the roster.

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Mets Links: Lee, Koosman, Perez, Delgado

NEW YORK - AUGUST 22: Jerry Koosman looks on ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Here are some links to review as we head into the last series before the All-Star break. The Mets are currently 3 games back of the Braves so a sweep would leave the Mets in a tie for first place in the NL East. I think any of us would’ve taken this position for the Mets before the season started.

Here are the links:

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Mets’ Beltran and Perez Recovering

St. Lucie Mets
Image via Wikipedia

Last night Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez played a rehab game for St. Lucie. For Beltran it was the second straight game he played the full game since his knee surgery. He’s expected to return to the Mets on July 15 in San Francisco. He hasn’t played for the Mets since Oct. 4, 2009.

Perez pitched for St. Lucie going 5.2 IP for the win. He allowed 2 hits and 2 runs while getting 7 strikeouts. He’s been on the Mets’ DL since June5 with knee tendinitis. It’s unclear when he’ll be returning to the Mets and whether he’ll be headed back to the bullpen or not.

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Video: Jose Reyes on Side Injury

Here’s some video from ESPN with Jose Reyes talking about the injury to his right side. He’s missed the last two games now and the lineup just isn’t the same without him. We know that all too well from all of the time he missed in 2009. But the Mets are 1-1 so far without him.

It’s a day-to-day situation, otherwise he would have been placed on the disabled list already. Let’s hope he’s back tonight against the Nats.

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