Despite some earlier rumors that suggested Carlos Beltran’s season may be over, he continues to work toward a September return. I don’t know exactly what purpose his return will serve at this point in time, but it would be nice to see him playing centerfield and providing some additional pop to our anemic lineup. Beltran took another step in his recovery from a right knee injury when he ran the bases this weekend in Port St. Lucie. He is expected [...]

According to former Mets GM Jim Duquette, now a baseball analyst for Sirius XM Radio, the Mets have canceled their Fall Instructional League as a cost-cutting measure. The decision will save the Mets approximately $300,000 and continues to add to the mounting evidence of financial upheaval despite denials from the Wilpon family. Duquette believes that it sends the wrong message to their developmental staff, young players in the system, and future draft picks and minor league free agents. [...]

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 [...]