Mike Pelfrey appears on ESPN Radio with Michael Kay. Pelfrey talks about his inconsistency this season and his place on the roster when Pedro Martinez and El Duque come back.
Tag: Pedro Martinez
Mets Injury Report
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Pedro Martinez– Threw in Port St. Lucie last Friday and again on Tuesday. The Mets are just seeing how he feels after throwing before putting him up against live hitters.
Orlando (El Duque) Hernandez– Doctors allowed him to take the boot off that he’s been wearing. He’ll be in Port St. Lucie starting a light running and throwing program.
Matt Wise– He’s pitching in a Florida State League game today. The Mets will evaluate his performance. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list now. The Mets want to see how he looks pitching back to back days.
Angel Pagan– He flipped over the railing into the stands catching a fly ball in Los Angeles. He stayed in the game for another inning but Endy Chavez substituted in left field for him. It sounds like it isn’t anything serious.
The big decision for the Mets will come when Matt Wise comes back. Do they DFA Joe Smith or Jorge Sosa? That seems to be the logical choice. Smith has options so it would be easier to do it that way. The problem is that Smith has been more effective than Sosa. This is sure to create a big debate among us in the near future.
Read the full story at ESPN.
Pedro Martinez Isn’t Close To Returning
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I’ve been scouring the Internet today looking for an update on Pedro Martinez’ injury status. This is his sixth week on the disabled list since straining his hamstring in his first start of the season.
Finally, this evening MLB.com posted an update on what Martinez is doing. He’s still throwing side sessions from a bullpen mound in Port St. Lucie. He hasn’t faced live hitters yet but expects to as early as this week.
He’ll need to throw a simulated game or an extended spring training game first. Then he’ll need to make some rehab starts in minor league games. It could be a while before he’s back.
A month ago Pedro was making noise to Dominican newspapers about how he’s going to surprise everyone and be back in New York before the end of April. It’ll be interesting to see what the Mets do with the rotation when he gets back. Mike Pelfrey or Nelson Figueroa will be out. Pelfrey could go to New Orleans and work on his control. I’d prefer to see Figueroa stay in the rotation but he’s probably better suited to come out of the bullpen than Pelfrey.
Nelson Figueroa Retro Prospect Report
The Hardball Times linked to this interesting retrospective prospect report from John Sickels at the Minor League Ball blog.
It makes for interesting reading to see how Figueroa did in the minors and worked his way up to the majors. I have to agree with Sickels’ assessment that Figueroa doesn’t have the “stuff” that would make him a prototypical prospect for a pitcher. But he does have a fight in him and the ability to work through trouble without wilting under pressure.
Going forward I’d like to see Figueroa take Jorge Sosa’s spot as the swingman on the team. When Matt Wise gets back someone in the bullpen will have to go. In addition, Pedro Martinez should return to the rotation at some point. Aaron Heilman isn’t going anywhere despite his many poor performances in April. Joe Smith may go to the minors but I like what he brings as a righty specialist. My feeling is that Sosa should be the odd man out. The Mets would most likely have to release him but he’s “only” making $2 million this season on a one year contract.
On Deck: Sunday April 27, 2008
Atlanta Braves (12-12) at New York Mets (12-11) 1:10pm
John Smoltz (3-1) vs. Nelson Figueroa (1-1)
What to watch: There’s supposed to be some rain today. We’ll see if they’re able to get the game in or not. What can you say about Smoltz? The guy’s been doing it forever and dominant as a starter and closer. He’s still bringing the heat at 40. Figueroa could position himself pretty well to stay in the rotation when Pedro Martinez gets back. Mike Pelfrey hasn’t looked that great, and one of them will be out of the rotation. Hopefully, the Mets can take the rubber game of the series today.
On Deck: Friday April 25, 2008
Atlanta Braves (11-11) at New York Mets (11-10) 7:10pm
Jair Jurrgens (2-2) vs. Mike Pelfrey (2-0)
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
What to watch: Jurrgens was obtained from the Tigers this offseason for Edgar Renteria. The Braves have big expectations for this pitcher from the Netherlands. Mike Pelfrey is in a battle with Nelson Figueroa for which pitcher stays in the rotation when Pedro Martinez gets back. Pelfrey’s last start in Philadelphia wasn’t very good only going five innings and giving up four runs on ten hits and two walks.
Latest Injury Updates
- Carlos Beltran’s stiff neck is still bothering him when he looks to his left (bats right handed). But he didn’t even think about sitting out against Cole Hamels and the Phillies tonight.
- Pedro Martinez is still working on his strained left hamstring with personal trainer Angel Persinal. You may remember his name from getting linked, at the Toronto airport, to a bag of performance enhancing drugs with Juan Gonzalez. Omar Minaya says Persinal is a Domincan legend and has no concerns about Pedro’s work with him.
- Moises Alou played in an extended spring training game in Port St. Lucie, FL and got five at-bats. The Mets are encouraged by his progress but needs to be able to play in the field before going to the Florida State League.
- Ramon Castro suffered some further tightness in his hamstring while running and is going for further evaluation.
Read the full story at the New York Times.
The Mets Report 