Pedro May Pitch For Mets Tonight

Pedro Martinez waves goodbye after signing som...Image via Wikipedia

The word from the Mets is that Pedro Martinez may pitch in relief for the Mets tonight against the Florida Marlins. He’s scheduled to re-join the team after being home in the Dominican Republic for his father Pablo’s funeral.

Pedro is still on the schedule to start Friday night in Houston. And the team will decide this afternoon whether he should do a bullpen session today or work in relief during the game.

Pedro last pitched on July 12th, going four innings against Colorado in a 3-0 win.

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Mets Pitcher John Maine Leaves Game Injured

John Maine was pulled in the fifth inning tonight by manager Jerry Manuel after experiencing stiffness in his shoulder. Manuel told reporters after the game that pitching coach Dan Warthen told him that Maine’s shoulder was stiff.

Warthen told Manuel that he didn’t like what he saw in Maine’s mechanics in the fifth inning so Manuel went out with a trainer to talk to him. Maine asked to stay in the game and promptly gave up a homer to Marlins catcher John Baker. It was a fastball right down the pipe.

That was it for Maine’s night. He was pulled immediately. Manuel said after the game that Maine will fly back to New York to have his shoulder looked at by doctors. That will determine whether he can make his next scheduled start in Houston on Sunday. Manuel said that if there’s any pain at all Maine won’t pitch Sunday.

The Mets have to be extremely cautious with Maine. He’s a young, talented pitcher that isn’t making much money yet. That’s about the most valuable type of player a team can have. It was smart of Manuel not to take any chances with Maine’s health.

Marlins Chill Hot Mets 7-3

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Video Highlights

John Maine pitched 4.1 effective innings giving up one run on four hits and a walk. He also had six strikeouts. But he left the game in the fifth inning after experiencing shoulder stiffness.

The bullpen blew the game in the eighth inning when Joe Smith and Scott Schoenweiss were ineffective giving up five runs in the frame.

Once again, Fernando Tatis was hitting. He went 2 for 4 including a triple with 2 RBI’s. Damion Easley also went 2 for 4 in the game.

The big news was Maine’s injury and the unknown severity. Keep in mind that he’s had a dead arm and a cramped left forearm this season. Maine didn’t want to come out of the game but Jerry Manuel erred on the side of caution wisely. Maine is too valuable to the Mets because of his skill, age, and salary to take a chance on further injuring his shoulder in a July game against the Marlins.

On Deck- July 28- Mets at Marlins [Game 1]

New York Mets (57-48 Road: 25-28) at Florida Marlins (55-50 Home: 29-23)  7:10pm

John Maine (9-7 4.20) vs. Ricky Nolasco (10-6 3.99)

TV: SNY  Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Maine had a good game against Philly in his last start going seven innings and giving up only three runs. I still expected more from him this season. I thought he would break out and it hasn’t happened yet. Nolasco has lost in his last two starts. He hasn’t won a game since July 7th.

Mets Need An Outfielder- Should Talk To The Rangers

Texas Rangers (baseball)Image via Wikipedia

I’ve written before here that I love what Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez have brought to the table this season. But with Moises Alou finished for the year (and his Mets career) and Ryan Church a major question mark going forward, the Mets need to get into the trade market for an outfielder. It doesn’t necessarily have to get done by the non-waiver deadline on July 31st. The Mets could see what they’ll be getting out of Church and make a waiver deal in August.

In the meantime, Omar Minaya should be talking to the Texas Rangers about Nelson Cruz of the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks. The Mets don’t need the big splash trade like a Jason Bay, Manny Ramirez, or Matt Holliday. They don’t need to take on Raul Ibanez’ massive salary either.

Cruz is tearing it up at Oklahoma City. He just turned 28 years old this month. He’s a right-handed hitter. And apparently, he isn’t going to break into the Rangers major league roster right now.

Cruz has played 93 games for the RedHawks this season hitting .347/ .443/ .729 with 36 homers and 91 RBI’s and 22 SB’s. He’s ready for the big leagues.

Even if it cost an Aaron Heilman it would be worth it.

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Santana CG Leads Mets Over Cards 9-1

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The Mets jumped all over St. Louis Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse today, taking the rubber game of the series. The Mets finish their home stand going 4-2. Lohse was roughed up for seven runs over five innings. By contrast, Johan Santana went all nine innings giving up six hits and one walk for one run.

Santana had a run saved by Carlos Beltran making an outstanding catch over the center field wall on a bomb hit by Ryan Ludwick. Albert Pujols homered in the next at-bat for the Cards only run.

The Mets offense was led by David Wright and Fernando Tatis. Wright was 3 for 5 with a home run, and Tatis was 3 for 4 with a home run.