Morning Update: No Timetable For Wright, Mets Scrambling To Replace Byrdak

Lucas Duda returned to the lineup after missing a few games with back soreness and with one swing of his batted affirmed  his back was feeling better when he belted a tremendous grand slam in yesterday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. The game ended in 7-7, 10-inning tie. “It wasn’t a big issue to start with,” Duda said. “A couple of days and I was good. … I wouldn’t even call it an injury. It was very minor.”

Right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who was roughed up in his first Grapefruit League start last week, will take the mound again today when the Mets host the Cardinals in a 1:10 ET game at Digital Domain Park. Pelfrey gave up four runs on six hits and two walks against the Marlins on March 8. The Mets are hoping to see Pelfrey assert himself and improve on his command which was very lacking his last time out.

Lefty relief specialist Tim Byrdak, will undergo surgery today to repair a torn meniscus and will miss up to six weeks. Byrdak’s loss had the Mets scrambling and they were forced to seek aid from prospect Josh Edgin who was summoned from minor league camp rather unexpectedly. The move goes against what Alderson has preached about not rushing prospects to the majors, as Edgin has never pitched above Class-A and yet it was reported he has as much a chance of making the team as the other relievers in camp. The Mets seem very uncertain about relying on Daniel Herrera, Garrett Olson and Chuck James, so much so that they may even turn to 38-year old journeyman C.J. Nitkowski who last pitched in 2006. Byrdak, also 38, negotiated a one-year deal worth $1 million for 2012 last September. He will begin the season on the Disabled List.

Third baseman David Wright, received an injection at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York to help his sore rib cage, but as of this morning the team still does not have a timetable for a return to action. Wright has yet to play in any Grapefruit League games and has not swung a bat in almost two weeks now.