Last month I posted my thoughts on Josh Thole and how the heat was on for him this spring, and that he wasn’t going to be handed the starting catching job on a silver platter. Thole knows exactly what’s at stake: “I’m getting to a point where we’re not in a trial-and-error period anymore,” Thole said. “It is what it is. If I don’t catch well over the course of this year, it will be [...]

David Wright has told reporters that he has a small tear in his “rectus abdominis” which is also known as the “six pack”. He stated that he thought it was a rib cage injury until he had an MRI done, and says that he expects the cortisone shot he had on Monday to take 48 hours to work, which means the injury should improve sometime today. He says that he should be ready for Opening Day saying, [...]

While reading Tyler’s post this morning on what if anything the Mets should do with Mike Pelfrey moving forward, I couldn’t resist the temptation of comparing him to the National’s John Lannan who is apparently available according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, yet too rich for the Mets taste which is rather unfortunate. Red Sox, Tigers, Astros among teams watching Lannan, who will likely be dealt. Mets and Pads had interest, but $5 mill is too much for [...]

I mentioned in my introduction post that the Mets might want to consider moving Mike Pelfrey to the bullpen. Now I am saying that it is time that they do something. It’s become increasingly difficult to rely on him in the starting rotation. One thing the Mets may want to try is to move him to the bullpen. Give him the long-relief role, that way he can still eat innings for the Mets. In most long relief [...]

Yesterday, former Met Carlos Beltran spoke to reporters and actually had some nice things to say about his former team. Beltran said he felt bad for Met fans who want see contender right now, but sees the Mets as a young team with great prospects, but that it’s going to take some time He’s very excited about what he sees in left fielder Lucas Duda: “I think he’s gonna be a great, great player for [...]

This afternoon, Pelfrey struggled again and gave up 4 ER off 2 HR in 4.1 IP, and sent the Mets on their way to a 7-1 defeat. Summary It was a tough day for Mike Pelfrey, who started opposite Adam Wainwright. It is early in spring training, but a line of 4 ER, 2 HR, and 6 H in only about 4 innings is not encouraging. I do not have a good feeling about Francisco, [...]

Terry Collins showed some “signs of frustration” today and was “visibly upset” according to several reports after he learned that Ruben Tejada had been scratched from this afternoon’s game with an apparent groin injury. Mike Puma of the NY Post, reported that it “pushed the Mets manager over the edge.” A visibly irritated Collins said: “Shocker. It’s not serious. It doesn’t have to be here. You need an aspirin, you’re off for the day.” “We’ve got three [...]

In Doug’s Dugout today, it’s “deja vu all over again,” with the news that David Wright will miss this week due to a nagging rib injury (but last week he had a great day in the weight room-cue the applause). It’s only March, but what Mets’ fan is not a tad alarmed? This is (already) getting monotonous with injury news rushing in each day. How many times has “day to day”” morphed into the disabled [...]

To most younger Mets fans with a sense of history, Ron Swoboda will always be remembered for his great catch and clutch hits that helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series against Baltimore. But for those of us who remember when he first came up in spring training of 1964, Swoboda represented great hope. Prodigious power, loaded with potential, hard working, bursting with charisma, and yet in need of a lot of experience. Signed [...]

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 [...]