When Johan Santana was disabled with a season-ending injury, the Mets knew his replacement would have some big shoes to fill.  Since replacing Santana in the rotation last week, Nelson Figueroa has done his best to pitch like the Mets ace.  Today, he pitched into the eighth inning and struck out a career-high 10 batters, as the Mets avoided being swept out of Chicago.  Figueroa’s dominant performance and the hitters’ ability to strike early and [...]

INT AAA: Buffalo 4/11/2, Rochester 5/9/2 2b Argenis Reyes 2 for 6, run, 2b, .281 ss Andy Green 0 for 4, BB, K, .252 Jesus Feliciano 0 for 5, .302 1b Mike Lamb 2 for 2, 2 runs, 2b, 3 BBs, .255 rf Chip Ambres 2 for 5, run, RBI, K, .256 dh Jason Dubois 2 for 5, RBI, 2 Ks, .186 3b Javier Castillo 3 for 5, 2 RBI, .257 c Robinson Cancel 0 [...]

I’ve seen enough. If Omar Minaya wants to keep saying that Bobby Parnell is untouchable, even in a deal for Roy Halladay, go ahead and let him. First of all I hate that word, and secondly no other team throws that word around more than the Mets. You want to know who some real untouchables are? Take a look at Phillies rookie J.A. Happ (3rd round) or Randy Wells (38th round) of the Cubs or Tommy Hanson [...]

If the Mets wanted to exact a measure of revenge against the Cubs for their role in keeping them out of the playoffs last season, they sure aren’t going about it the right way.  Fernando Tatis became the sixteenth Met to run his way into a crucial out at home plate when he ignored the stop sign by Razor Shines and Jake Fox hit a grand slam against losing pitcher Bobby Parnell as the Mets [...]

INT AAA: Buffalo 2/5/0, Rochester 5/11/0 ss Argenis Reyes 1 for 3, run, BB, .280 3b Andy Green 1 for 4, run, HR, 2 RBI, .259 cf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, .305 1b Mike Lamb 0 for 3, BB, .251 rf Chip Ambres 1 for 4, 2b, K, .254 lf Jason Dubois 0 for 3, K, .169 c Rene Rivera 0 for 3, K, .237 dh Javier Castillo 1 for 3, .252 2b Luis [...]

According to several sources, Scott Kazmir has been traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels acquired Kazmir for minor league left-hander Alex Torres, minor league infielder Matt Sweeney, and a player to be named later. Kazmir, 25, got off to a rough start this season and is 8-7 with a 5.92 earned-run average for the Rays this season. However, the former Mets prospect is 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA in eight [...]

The Colorado Rockies have designated outfielder Matt Murton for assignment to clear a roster spot for reliever Juan Rincon. <yawn> I was going to post something about him two nights ago, but then I decided to pass. I was going to post something about him yesterday morning, and again I decided to take a pass. There’s something about Murton that absolutely bores me to death. I was going to keep that to myself, but after [...]

INT AAA: Buffalo 8/14/1, Rochester 7/12/2 ss Argenis Reyes 0 for 5, RBI, K, .280 3b Andy Green 2 for 5, run, RBI, K, .259 rf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, 2 runs, K, .305 1b Mike Lamb 3 for 5, run, RBI, .253 cf Chip Ambres 2 for 5, run, 2b, 2 RBI, .254 lf Jason Dubois 2 for 5, run, RBI, K, .177 dh Javier Castillo 0 for 4, run, BB, 2 Ks, [...]

For Sale: This vintage 1962 classic has a great paint job, but like any other used vehicle it needs a little work. You’ll want to get a new transmission (Johan Santana), V6 engine (Carlos Beltran), power steering (Carlos Delgado), a starter (John Maine), new brakes (J.J. Putz), shock absorbers (Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve), coil springs (Alex Cora, Ramon Martinez) and a catalytic converter (Jose Reyes). We installed a new Bose Stereo CD Player (Oliver Perez) six months ago, but we [...]