Matt Wise didn’t pitch in Atlanta due to soreness in his right forearm. He came back to New York for an MRI and results were negative. I haven’t seen any word on his availability for the series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Category: Roster
Kyle Lohse and How Omar Minaya Missed The Boat
The biggest question mark for the New York Mets is starting pitching. There’s no denying that. Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, Mike Pelfrey, and the substitute starters are all sources of concern for fans, and I would guess the front office as well.
I’m sure that Nelson Figueroa is a good guy and obviously dedicated to the sport to move around the world in search of pitching jobs. But having to give him a start this early in the season is somewhat disconcerting for Mets fans. I hope he does a great job on Friday, needless to say.
That being said, Omar Minaya missed the boat with Kyle Lohse. This passage is from Sean Deveney of the Sporting News from today:
Any front office executives kicking themselves over the nice work turned in thus far by Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse? Lohse threw five shutout innings in his first start, allowing just three hits, then followed that up with seven shutout innings Sunday against the Nationals. The Cardinals signed Lohse late in spring training for the low price of one year and $4.25 million. Don’t blame the Phillies, for whom Lohse pitched over the final two months of the 2007 season. They offered Lohse three years and $21 million early in the offseason, which he turned down. . . .
How badly could we use that kind of pitching right now? Lohse is one of those guys with good stuff that should be more successful than he is. His combined numbers between the Cincinnatti Reds and Philadelphia Phillies from last year are:
9-12 4.45ERA 192.2 innings 32 starts 2 CG 1 SHO 122 K’s 57 BB’s
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Agent: David Wells Waiting For Mets
Image from WikipediaThe Boston Globe reports that David Wells’ agent, Gregg Clifton, is waiting for a call from the D-Backs or Mets. He believes those are the two teams that he could most likely place Wells.
The terrible news of Doug Davis’ thyroid cancer has created an opening in the D-Backs rotation. Pedro Martinez’ hamstring injury has the Mets searching for an answer as well.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Wells come in if he would do a minor league contract with incentives for major league starts. In my mind, he could certainly compete with Tony Armas, Nelson Figueroa, El Duque, and Mike Pelfrey. I haven’t seen anything from the players currently under contract with the Mets that solidifies their position as a replacement for Pedro.
Sure, Wells will be 45 next month and he doesn’t exactly have the greatest workout regimen. I’m making that statement based on my eyesight, not any knowledge of his workout program (if such a program exists). I’d rather see Wells than some of the recent Mets substitute starters like Jose Lima and Brian Lawrence. Both were hit more than a piñata.
It sounds like the Mets are willing to give Nelson Figueroa a shot this coming Friday against the Brewers and I’m fine with that. But if it doesn’t go well, it may be time to give Gregg Clifton a call.
Hottest Mets Tickets
The Mets are seriously considering Nelson Figueroa for a start on Friday which would make Johan Santana’s home debut on Saturday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game is scheduled for 1:10pm and tickets are still available. The Milwaukee Brewers, although a pretty good team, aren’t typically high demand tickets in April. That could change with Santana making his first start at Shea Stadium.
Braves Change Rotation
Image from WikipediaThe Atlanta Braves decided to bring John Smoltz back from the disabled list tomorrow to face Johan Santana in the finale of the two game series. This is the second good pitching matchup of the short series.
Smoltz has been bothered by soreness in his 40 year old shoulder. He’ll be 41 on May 15th. Tom Glavine will pitch in Denver now on Monday night.
I have to wonder if this has anything to do with Glavine being a former Met. He’s been around long enough not to be bothered by something like that. And he’s had the experience of facing the Braves with the Mets. It is curious though that the Braves choose to make the change at the last minute like this.
Video: Ken Rosenthal on Pedro Martinez Injury
Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal talks about the impact of Martinez’ injury on the Mets and possible replacements in the rotation.
Pedro Martinez on the Disabled List
The Mets expect Martinez to be out for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain. Nelson Figueroa was brought up from Triple-A New Orleans to replace him on the roster.
Mike Pelfrey should pitch in Martinez’ spot in the rotation beginning on April 8th. Then I would have El Duque take the fifth spot in the rotation beginning April 12th. El Duque could replace Figueroa on the roster at that point.
Whoever it is that takes Pedro’s spot is walking into a difficult situation. Martinez was scheduled to pitch the last ever opening day at Shea Stadium. There’s a sense of organizational pride that goes along with that responsibility. It’s a big deal as much as the players will give us the one-liners about how “it’s just another game”.
The Mets Report 