Mets Injury Updates- Wagner and Church

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Ryan Church #19 of the New...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Billy Wagner pitched a simulated game in Pittsburgh on Saturday. He’s attempting to return from a stint on the disabled list for a problem with his left forearm. But he suffered a setback when his left elbow felt sore. He’ll return to New York today to be examined by the Mets medical staff. Obviously, he won’t come off the disabled list as planned tomorrow.

The Wagner setback leaves us crossing our fingers, holding our breath, or covering our eyes at the end of games into this week. As many saves as Wagner has blown this season, it’s still difficult to watch the patchwork bullpen working through close games in late inning situations.

Ryan Church was the designated hitter yesterday in the Gulf Coast League. He’ll return to New York to play with Brooklyn or Binghamton as inclement weather is expected in Florida. The Mets want him to keep playing games as much as possible. His next step is to play right field in a game tomorrow.

I’m still surprised that the Fernando Tatis and rookie platoon in left field has gone as well as it has since Church went on the disabled list.

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Pedro Solid In Mets 7-4 Win Over Pirates

The Mets won their fifth game in a row behind a stellar pitching performance by Pedro Martinez. It wasn’t the Pedro from 1997 but he had enough off-speed pitches working, especially the change up, to keep the young Pirates hitters off balance. He went seven innings with little trouble until the seventh when he gave up a solo homer to Andy LaRoche. But that was the only run the Pirates plated against Pedro.

The Mets offense got the party started early with a lead off home run by Jose Reyes and three runs coming home in the first inning. Reyes added a triple off the wall in center in the second inning as well. Nick Evans was the only starter without a hit in the game.

The Phillies lost in San Diego so the Mets move to two full games ahead in the NL East.

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Thumbs Up For Mets Manager Jerry Manuel

Today is two full months since Jerry Manuel was hired as the interim manager of the Mets. He took over for Willie Randolph on June 17th in the ill-fated late night firing in Los Angeles. Although the Mets front office took a lot of heat for the logistics of the firing, it turned out to be the right move. Now we’ve had a good sampling of the type of work that Manuel can do.

Manuel’s been able to develop positive relationships with the players. Some of the players he takes a “big brother” tact with, and others he has harsh words for in the media (e.g. Luis Castillo). That contrasts with Willie Randolph who didn’t seem to have any relationships in the locker room by the end of his tenure.

image Manuel’s moves on the field have been aggressive offensively, hitting and running is getting much more than lip service now. He’s picked his spots to show faith in his pitchers to get out of jams, and he’s shown a quick hook on occasion as well. He’s working with a good feel for the team, something I always though Randolph lacked.
Best of all, Manuel shows no favoritism to big contracts or veteran status. Players perform and they play, period. I hated the way Randolph made young players “earn” a move up in the batting order based on Major League tenure, not performance (e.g. David Wright).
I’m going to put my opinion out there that barring some dysfunctional collapse (e.g. 2007) I’d like to see Jerry Manuel get a contract with the Mets beyond this season. As the SNY crew mentions ceaselessly, Manuel is very self-aware and at peace with himself. What a great contrast to the paranoid Randolph, who became obsessed with denial of the 2007 “Collapse”.
Bring back Jerry!

On Deck- August 16- Mets at Pirates [Game 2]

New York Mets (66-56 Road: 30-33) at Pittsburgh Pirates (55-67 Home: 33-29) 7:05pm

Pedro Martinez (3-3 5.37) vs. Zach Duke (4-10 5.10)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Both starting pitchers have struggled this season. But Pedro pitched a nice game against the Pirates in his last start on Monday at Shea. Look for the Mets to continue their incredible defense they displayed last night. There were defensive highlights happening all over the field. It was great to see that kind of effort against the Pirates, one of the NL’s weak sisters.

Visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans.

Mets Wagner To Pitch Simulated Game Today

NEW YORK - JUNE 29: Pitching coach Dan Warthe...

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Closer Billy Wagner is scheduled to pitch a simulated game in Pittsburgh today. The plan is to activate Wagner from the disabled list on Monday when he becomes eligible.

Wagner pitched an inning on Thursday night in Bingamton and decided not to pitch another rehab game in Brooklyn today. He’ll be throwing to hitters in front of pitching coach Dan Warthen. If all goes well look for him to be available to pitch Monday in the final game of the series against the Pirates.

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Mets Pelfrey Dominates Pirates In 2-1 Win

There wasn’t much offense from either team tonight. The Mets put up two runs in the first inning on a David Wright RBI single and a wild pitch. That’s it.

Mike Pelfrey was fantastic throwing seven scoreless innings. The bullpen was a little shaky again with Duaner Sanchez giving up a homer to light-hitting Jack Wilson in the eighth. But Pedro Feliciano bailed Sanchez out in the eighth. And Aaron Heilman got the save in the ninth. Argenis Reyes made a terrific play on a ground ball that Carlos Delgado missed to get a key out at first in the ninth.

The Mets hold onto sole possession of first place with the win.

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