Several sources are now confirming that Johan Santana will be skipped from Friday’s scheduled start because of a tender elbow. Ben Shpigel writes: Johan Santana, scheduled to pitch two innings in a “B” game against Team Italy tomorrow, has been scratched because of a tender elbow that Jerry Manuel said pops up from time to time. Citing the length of spring training, Manuel said they didn’t want to take any chances. “If this was the [...]

Unless the Mets plans go terribly awry this spring, two of the following will make the team between fifth starter candidates Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, Jon Niese and even Livan Hernandez who has impressed so far with a lively fastball. One of those four will obviously be slotted right behind John Maine, but one other should make the bullpen as a long reliever. That means quite a battle for the remaining bullpen spots behind K-Rod, Putz, [...]

Jerry Manuel just revealed his lineup for todays game against the Marlins later this afternoon. Luis Castillo 2BOLIVER PEREZ PJose Reyes SSCarlos Delgado 1BDavid Wright 3BCarlos Beltran CFRyan Church RFDaniel Murphy LFBrian Schneider C Steve Popper added that most of the media was befuddled by the move… Most of the media is arguing the point here, awaiting Jerry’s explanation. Ben Shpigel of the NY Times offers that he wants to see him bunt. When I [...]

The Mets currently have two players listed as backup first baseman behind incumbent Carlos Delgado; Nick Evans and Marlon Anderson. Because Anderson has a guaranteed contract, it’s expected that he will be a lock to make the team, but I don’t believe that’s the case at all. Anderson is not owed that much, and if Nick Evans can prove his value to the team with a strong spring, the Mets won’t hesitate to bring him [...]

Coming into Spring Training, everybody has pointed out someone who has something to prove to the organization and to the fan base. Luis Castillo has been the number one player mentioned followed closely by Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy. For awhile, even I had to agree. I wrote endless blogs about how Castillo had better get his act together or he should be shipped out. No questions asked! Then I started to really think about what [...]

The Mets wasted no time in putting away the Baltimore Orioles in impressive fashion to begin the Exhibition Season. Surprisingly, it was Luis Castillo who led the charge with two big hits and four RBI’s. The game started off with a scare when Mets starting pitcher Sean Green left the game after getting just two outs in the first inning with a hand injury that was later diagnosed as a cut finger. He was followed by Pedro Feliciano and [...]

Joel Sherman of the NY Post reports that Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez came to camp in good shape. Those of us who follow the team day in and day out, know just how good that news is in the case of Sanchez. Only two springs ago, Sanchez was sent home after reporting to spring training out of shape and unmotivated. And while it’s nice to see him show up and be ready to compete, Sherman believes that [...]

Just read a fantastic article by Tom Verducci (yes, that Ton Verducci) on SI.com about Carlos Delgado. Verducci does a great job of pointing out Delgado’s accomplishments in the tainted era we all now refer to as the steroids era. He establishes this era as being from 1996 through 2003. I define the heart of the Steroid Era as beginning in 1996, when Ken Caminiti won the MVP on steroids and the first full season [...]

Baseball America released it’s 2009 Top 100 Prospects list only moments ago. Four Mets made the list and here is where they placed… 30 FERNANDO MARTINEZ OF, METS 0: Players in Double-A younger than Martinez last season. Opening Day Age: 20 ETA: 2010 47 WILMER FLORES SS, METS 0: Players younger than Flores (who turned 17 on Aug. 6) in full-season ball last season. Opening Day Age: 17 ETA: 2012 77 JONATHON NIESE LHP, METS 178: [...]