Believe it or not, the Mets are ever so slowly getting healthier and making their way back. Last night we witnessed the return of Oliver Perez and regardless the mixed results, it was a good first step considering he hasn’t pitched in well over a month.
We have some more updates in the news, so lets get you caught up…
Carlos Delgado
Out since May 11th, Delgado fielded 25 ground balls for the first time yesterday and reported no problems and no discomfort.
“It was good. I didn’t have any problem,” said Delgado. “I took about 25 ground balls right at me, not a whole lot of movement, by design. It was good. No pain.”
After originally estimating a mid-August return, the Mets now say that Delgado could be back by August 1st.
Carlos Beltran
The Mets announced that Beltran that will undergo another MRI during the All-Star Break, and that his return is not imminent. When asked to speculate on a possible return date, Beltran didn’t sound very optimistic,
“I don’t know. Who knows? I’m taken away from what I love to do. It’s tough,” Beltran said. “But the team has to find a way to move on, play better baseball and win ballgames. You don’t like to see the team playing the way it’s playing right now. They have to find a way to compete, focus on the little things.”
Beltran is currently working out on the bike and in the pool as he recovers from a bone bruise on his right knee.
Jose Reyes
I read some vague report yesterday that Reyes was going to start playing rehab games today, however the story is not true. Reyes was given a cortisone shot a few days ago and is still sidelined with a sore hamstring. There is no timetable for his return.
John Maine
John Maine threw off flat ground Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, which is considered progress, but there is still no timetable for his return.
Angel Pagan
Angel Pagan continues to rehab and play for Class-A St. Lucie and he could be activated as soon as Friday. I would suspect that Fernando Martinez is the odd man out when that happens. Pagan should provide some relief as the Mets could use his defense in center and his bat in the lineup.
Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner is throwing to hitters in Port St. Lucie. Wagner has been on the shelf all season following September Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old believes a mid or late-July return is realistic, but Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen has said August is more realistic.
Final Thoughts
Of all the Mets on the disabled list, I am concerned about Jose Reyes the most. Reyes relies so much on his legs, that the last thing you want to hear is that he is still in pain. To get another cortisone shot after all the time he has missed already, is a major setback to me no matter how hard Omar Minaya tried to sugarcoat it on Monday.
I believe that Beltran could return before the month is over, and that Delgado will not be too far behind him.
Another concern I have is how long are all these players going to need before they are back to form? It’s ridiculous to believe that Beltran will come right back swinging a .345 bat after such a long layoff. And how effective will Delgado be? I’m sure you all remember Delgado in 2007, the last time he came back after a stint on the DL.
It’s because of all these questions that I am so surprised that the Mets have not made a move to upgrade in any area. Omar keeps harping on his “wait until they come back” mantra, but what if they don’t come back in the same game shape as they were when they left?
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
What about JJ Putz? He said he is 11 days ahead of schedule.
Yes, at the time of this post there was no update on J.J. Putz until late this afternoon. However the update came from Putz himself and not in an official statement from the Mets.
Is there any way we can put Omar on the DL??
I doubt any help is on the way. Everyone is buying right now and no one is really selling. Add that our prospects aren’t exactly hot commodities, and we find ourselves between the proverbial rock and hard place.
Is there a doctor in the house?
Boy, how the bar has been lowered! Good first step for Ollie…seven walks, over 100 pitches, and several hits in 5 innings? Wow, years ago a performance like that would get you a ticket to Class D.
When I look at the injury reports, the most realistic one I see is the Delgado injury because it seems the most legit with a firm timeframe. Wagner too for that matter (Cora’s was too). The others all seemed to come from nowhere and are far more mysterious. Ollie Perez must have been injured because a “demotion to the minors for mechanics” would have fixed things that we still saw wrong when he came back.