Category: Roster

Mets Angel Pagan Hurt Again

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A really sad story for a guy that I liked to have an impact on the Mets this season. Angel Pagan has been a really fast starter the last two seasons only to be injured along the way. We found out today that Pagan came back to New York for tests on his inflamed right elbow. The diagnosis is a bone spur that may require surgery.

Pagan was hitting .467 in 15 at-bats this spring and, in my mind, was a lock to make the team as corner outfielder that can switch hit. The Mets really need someone that can sub in defensively in left field for Daniel Murphy or Fernando Tatis. They also need a right-handed bat off the bench.

Last season Pagan got off the a hot start and got a ton of playing time because of Moises Alou’s injuries. He injured his shoulder in May in Los Angeles going for a fly ball over the wall.

Hopefully, Pagan won’t require surgery and will have a chance to do some damage for the Mets this season. I was really looking forward to seeing him play a key role off the bench. It looks like Bobby Kielty will fill the role of reserve outfielder and he’s also a switch hitter.

Mike Pelfrey Another Injured New York Met

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Mike Pelfrey is reported to be experiencing some pain in his lower left leg. He had an MRI on the leg and is expected to miss at least a few days of work outs. Pelfrey is the latest Met to be experiencing some minor pain this spring.

The list of Mets that have minor injuries is somewhat alarming. But we have to remember that every team is overly cautious in the spring to avoid problems that spill over into the regular season.

The reason to be concerned about Pelfrey is sherely because Johan Santana has experienced some elbow problems. So if Santana can’t go on opening day in Cincinnati, it would have been Pelfrey that likely would have led the rotation. But let’s not get crazy in the first week of March until we have more conclusive information.

Mets Move Up Santana’s Rehab Schedule

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I hate to get caught up in this daily routine of updating Johan Santana’s progress recoving from some elbow pain. But it is encouraging that the Mets have moved up his rehab schedule.

Originally, Santana was going to pitch three bullpen sessions before throwing to hitters. He pitched one bullpen session on Thursday and felt well enough to pitch batting practice today before the game against the Washington Nationals.

Maybe Santana will be able to go on opening day in Cincinnati on April 6. From the comments that I’ve read from Santana, it seems like its very important to him to make that start. I have to say that Santana really shows a lot of pride in his game for a guy that’s guaranteed to make $137.5 million whether he’s on the field or not. The Mets made a great decision picking him as the guy to give a monster contract to. I remember hearing that an NFL scout said that the hardest part about selecting the first pick in the draft isn’t about talent. A lot of college football players have talent. The problem is choosing the guys that will still have a desire to win when their bank account gets into eight digits. Santana is demonstrating to us that he’s that type of guy.

Tatis Leaving Mets For World Baseball Classic

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Fernando Tatis will be leaving the Mets to replace Alex Rodriguez on the World Baseball Classic team from the Domincan Republic. I’m sure that you’re all well aware by now that A-Rod is having a cyst removed from his hip surgically and won’t be available to play for about 10 weeks.

Tatis was approached by Domincan team GM Stan Javier and Assitant GM/player Moises Alou about representing DR in the WBC.

The Mets approved Tatis’ play in the WBC despite a minor hand injury that’s hampered his playing time early this spring.

Verducci: 2009 Mets Have Several Key Questions

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SI’s Tom Verducci addressed the Mets in his “Spring Training Post Cards” series today. I really like Verducci and he nailed the Mets first couple of weeks of spring training perfectly. Here’s a quick summary of the issues he addressed:

  1. Jerry Manuel has brought a looser feel to the team this season than Willie Randolph had in the past.
  2. Jose Reyes batting third is an interesting experiment and meant to push Luis Castillo, not Reyes. He suggests that Castillo may be best served batting ninth in the order.
  3. The Mets outfielders don’t have a lot of high-ceiling guys. And they don’t know what to expect out of Ryan Church after he couldn’t get it together after his second concussion.
  4. Livan Hernandez could really help the Mets if he can get about 15 starts in this season.
  5. The daily roller coaster of Johan Santana’s health is hanging over the team like a cloud right now.

I’m surprised that he didn’t mention Carlos Beltran in his discussion of the Mets outfielders. Beltran gives the Mets a lot of flexibility to play guys that don’t have outfield experience. He covers a ton of ground in the outfield and leads the other players positioning.

I’m also surprised that he didn’t mention what a bust that Freddy Garcia is turning out to be. Livan Hernandez is fine, but the Mets need to find someone that solidify the number five spot in the rotation.

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Mets To Open Season Without Johan Santana

Johan SantanaSeveral media reports state that the Mets announed that Johan Santana will not be their opening day starter in Cincinnati on April 6th. His first regular season game appearance will be on Saturday April 11th in Florida, if all goes well.

The tightness in his left elbow will preclude him in appearing in a spring training game until at least March 18th. Although the Mets appear to be doing the right thing here, I have to question why he hasn’t been examinied in Florida or had an MRI. Santana doesn’t need to fly back to New York for an MRI, as had been previously reported.

I like that the Mets are being cautious with Santana, I just question if they’re being cautious enough. He very well may be the best pitcher on the planet. And the Mets are locked into six more years with him. The Mets need to start looking at the big picture and six more years is the big picture. Santana’s left arm is the most important asset that the Mets have as an organization right now. They need to be very careful with that asset.

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Freddy Garcia Ripped Again In Second Mets Start

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I’ve been watching the Mets-Cardinals game on SNY today. Typically, I don’t spend much time watching spring training games unless I’m in Florida at the games. But Iwanted to see what Freddy Garcia looked like in his second start for the Mets.

Again, he was terrible. He gave up two home runs in two innings. One of the homers was an absolute bomb by Chris Duncan.

Garcia faced ten hitters in two innings and really looked like he was struggling. His fastball didn’t get above 90 mph and his breaking pitches didn’t look sharp.

At this point you’d have to wonder if Garcia will have a future with this team. It’s funny because I thought the fifth spot in the rotation would be Garcia’s to lose. With Tim Redding, Livan Hernandez, and Jon Niese vying for the same spot on the roster Garcia’s chances are getting slimmer by the day of making the major league roster.

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