According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets are expected to add right-hander Dillon Gee, left-hander Raul Valdes and first baseman/outfielder Nick Evans to the active roster on Monday in time for the series opener in Washington against the Nationals.
 
Gee went 13-8 for the Bisons with a 4.96 ERA and currently leads the International League with 165 strikeouts. He was just named Buffalo’s Comeback Player of the Year.

Evans batted .294 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs in 88 games with Double-A Binghamton, and then hit .314 with six homers and 25 RBIs after a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo.

Valdes was 2-3 with a 4.73 ERA and one save in 31 appearances with the Mets earlier this season.

Note: Gee would have to be added to the 40 man roster meaning the Mets would have to make room for him with a corresponding move.

Since then, Misch has made two starts and allowed just one run in 15 innings pitched, striking out 15 more batters and walking none.

His record now stands at an impressive 10-4 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.

This morning, I couldn’t help but notice something I read in Adam Rubin’s minor league report. He writes:

Left-hander Pat Misch produced his first major league win last Sept. 3 at Colorado, while pairing with Josh Thole in the catcher’s major league debut. Later that month, Misch’s other major league highlight occurred. Misch, who turns 29 in two weeks, shut out the Florida Marlins on Sept. 27 at Miami.

This year, Misch has not appeared with the Mets at the major league level. The southpaw cleared waivers near the end of spring training and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Misch was claimed off waivers from the Mets on June 5, 2009 from the San Francisco Giants.

If he is not called up by season’s end or added to the 40-man roster, he will become a minor league free agent.

I’m sure the Mets higher-ups are aware of the situation, but these days, you can never really tell. It would be a shame if the Mets were to lose Misch without ever giving him a real opportunity to succeed in the majors.

I understand that keeping Oliver Perez on the roster, means less flexibility to promote another pitcher from the minors, but I feel that in this particular instance, Misch can make the callup worth our while.

Based on the current makeup of the bullpen, I think the odd man out would be Raul Valdes. The southpaw has had his moments while with the Mets, but lets face it, a 4.85 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP is hardly worth arguing for. Plus, with Takahashi going back to the pen, there’s no real need for a third lefthanded reliever.

And of course, you could always call Valdes back up when rosters expand on September 1st.

Takahashi has been very sporadic since joining the rotation. He’s been very good in half of his starts, and very bad in the other half. We already know how effective  he’s been working in relief, and we can certainly use the boost he would provide in our pen right now.

Even if Misch is effective in just half of his stars like Takahashi, it’s still an upgrade for the team. But I have a hunch that Misch could perform even better and be more consistent.

The way I see it, it’s a no-brainer.

In a game where David Wright hit two home runs and the Mets offense put up some run support, Raul Valdes was pitching volleyballs and the Diamondbacks tee’d off, winning the opening game of the series 9-6.

Game Notes

Mike Pelfrey was hit early on in the game, and hit hard. Mike’s final line of five runs allowed, four earned on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five and two-third innings doesn’t look too bad – but Mike easily could’ve been out of the game by the third inning if a few hits would’ve gone in different directions. Big Pelf is getting annihilated in the first inning of games, and hopefully he can establish himself in the first inning, otherwise the Mets will be looking at a tired bullpen in Pelfrey starts. In an awkward move, after 118 pitches, Jerry Manuel pulled Pelf with 2 outs in the sixth.

Playing the situation card, Raul Valdes was brought into the game to face the left-handed Kelly Johnson who promptly deposited a ball into left-center. Valdes would allow two more singles, and then another left-handed hitter, Miguel Montero tagged a shot off of the Pepsi porch. When all was said and done, Valdes allowed four runs to score on four hits without recording an out, and allowing an inherited runner to score. Realistically, Pelfrey couldn’t have done much worse considering the next batter he would’ve faced hit a home run. Manny Acosta, Elmer Dessens and Pedro Feliciano combined for the final three and one-third innings, striking out six.

The Mets offense today was known as David Wright. David went 3-4 with 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R and a K. David was just locked in at the plate, and hopefully this offensive outburst lasts. Angel Pagan would account for the other RBI, knocking in Jose Reyes.

Jeff Francoeur, 0-4 with 2 K’s. I can’t say that I am surprised, but why isn’t Chris Carter starting against righties? Outside of his three run home run, Frenchy has been a Barajas-esque black hole of futility.

Jose Reyes went 3-5 with 2 runs. Always good to see Jose operating on all cylinders, but the Jose Reyes error helped to get Pelfrey pulled from the game.

Luis Castillo went 0-4 with a R and a BB. For the year, Luis is hitting .239. Why isn’t Ruben Tejada up here again?

Turning Point

Jose Reyes’ error in the sixth inning could’ve helped the inning to end and the Mets to exit the inning in the lead, but at least the error would’ve left it with two outs.

Game Ball

David Wright, 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. Good performance

On Deck

The Mets will look to rebound and break the four game losing streak to the Diamondbacks, sending out Hisanori Takahashi to face up against Barry Enright. Game time is 7:10 PM

Game Summary

Hisanori Takahashi probably needs to be back in the bullpen where he has shown that he is a reliable seventh and even eighth inning man. Since his start against the Yankees, he hasn’t shown that he can keep the Mets in the game. He gave up six runs on seven hits including two home runs in just 2.2 innings pitched. He walked one and struck out two batters. Takahashi is a bullpen guy and the Mets need a replacement starting pitcher. Possibly a trade, possibly bringing up Pat Misch, maybe bringing up Oliver Perez?! It’s a possibility.

Fernando Nieve came in to aid the ailing Takahashi and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, and stuck out two. Haven’t seen Nieve pitch much lately, maybe Manuel is giving him all of the rest he didn’t get in April.

Raul Valdes pitched 2.1 innings in relief. Less emphasis on the relief, however. He gave up two runs on three hits, walked one and struck out three. Francisco Rodriguez pitched his first game in three days. “He needs the work.” He pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, striking out two batters.

Carlos Beltran and Ike Davis provided most of the offense in the game. Beltran went 2-4 with his first triple and a run scored. Ike Davis also had a two hit night, belting a pair of long homeruns. He picked up three RBIs and scored two runs. When he hits homeruns, he really hits ‘em. The first one went into McCovey Cove, while the second one went to straight center. This is Ike’s second two homer game of the season. His first time was also against the Giants.

David Wright, Josh Thole, and Chris Carter each had a hit. Wright went 1-3 with an RBI, while Thole and Carter both had pinch hit singles.

Ruben Tejada continues to be a target for pitchers as he got plunked in the shoulders during the ninth inning. That is his sixth hit-by-pitch this season.

Interesting note: At one point Matt Cain was standing on third. I wonder if Wright and Cain had a conversation about Cain plunking him in the head last year that sent him to the hospital.

Turning Point

The Buster Posey solo home run in the third inning was the big blow that pushed the Giants too far for the Mets to comeback.

Game Ball

Ike Davis hit two huge homeruns and knocked in three of the Mets runs tonight.

Up Next

Johan Santana looks to avoid the sweep as he will be going up against Jonathon Sanchez. Both pitchers are looking for their eighth win of the season. Should be a good lefty vs. lefty match up. Game time is 4:05 PM.

Anthony McCarron of the Daily News is reporting that the Mets recalled left handed reliever Raul Valdes from Triple-A Buffalo and that he will be available for tonight’s game.

Valdes was 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 29.1 innings pitched this season.

Game Notes

R.A. Dickey went out for his second appearance as a Met, and was dominant through 6 innings, giving up no runs on 7 hits with 3 walks to go with 7 strikeouts. The hits were scattered, mostly in the 2nd where Dickey loaded the bases and then got out of it, and in the 6th when he struck out pinch hitter Gregg Dobbs to get out of the 6th inning. Dickey was beyond effective, and threw 103 pitches. If the game wasn’t already 5-0, Dickey may have been able to go another inning or two just based on effectiveness. Raul Valdes came out to get the 3 inning save, striking out four, walking two, giving up two hits and hitting an RBI double in the 8th inning.

This may have been one of the best overall pitching performances the Mets have had combined all season, striking out 11 Phillies and only giving up 9 hits with 5 walks overall. The Phillies only managed one extra base hit, and it was in the 7th inning. Great outings all around.

The bats, and for one of the first times this season the legs came alive. The Mets as a team, stole 3 bases including 2 by the resurgent Jose Reyes and one by the scorching hot Jason Bay. The Mets peppered the ball around, scoring in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th innings. Jeff Francoeur had a major day today. Frenchy went 2 for 3 with a run, 2 RBI and a Sac Fly. Frenchy has proven he will play the team game and go for the sacrifice fly. Jason Bay went

Jose Reyes went 3-5 with a bunt single and 2 stolen bases, including a key steal of 3rd base in the 1st inning that allowed him to score off of a Jason Bay groundout

The only position player to go hitless was Ike Davis, and he was 0-3 with a walk. Not one Mets batter struck out today.

Ex-Met Nelson Figueroa proved his loyalty to the Mets, getting hit hard for 3 runs on 4 hits in one inning of work.

Turning Point

When R.A. Dickey got himself into a no out, bases-loaded jam in the 2nd inning and worked around it by coaxing a ground ball double play that he initiated and getting Phillies starter Jamie Moyer swinging for the 3rd out.

Game Ball

The game ball goes to R.A. Dickey, for his spectacular outing. Words really cannot express how crucial it was to give the majority of the bullpen the day off and to defeat the Phillies.

Up Next

The Mets will send out Hisanori Takahashi who will look to keep this 3 game winning streak going again Joe Blanton of the Phillies. Game time is 7:10 PM

Stoner (0-1, 4.32 ERA) had last pitched Tuesday for the Bisons, so he would be fully rested in case John Maine needs an early bailout.

The 25-year-old right-hander had allowed four earned runs, nine hits, three walks and had struck out five in 8 1/3 innings over two starts for Buffalo. 

He appeared in four games for the Mets in September, compiling a 4.00 ERA in nine innings. 

To make room for Tobi Stoner, the Mets have designated first baseman Mike Jacobs for assignment. So in a span of 11 games, Jacobs has gone from the Mets Opening Day cleanup hitter to baseball oblivion.

Jacobs had been a huge drag on the offense and never really seemed to fit in. He batted .208 in 28 at-bats with seven strikeouts. Defensively he showed terrible range and poor instincts.

Newsday’s David Lennon reported via Twitter, that Jacobs has an option left, and that he can be sent to Triple-A. Jacobs says he doesn’t want to go down to sit on the bench, however Lennon suggests, “if the Mets want Jacobs to stay, they should call up Davis”.

So to summarize, hopefully these moves signal a few things,

1. Jeff Francoeur will move up in the lineup.

2. Daniel Murphy is close to a return.

3. Ike Davis may be one step closer to the Major Leagues. Davis, 23, is off to a hot start in the minors, hitting .357/.514/.679 through his first nine games.

One thing is certain though, losing Jacobs is a perfect example of addition by subtraction.

Left-hander Raul Valdes, a Cuban defector who impressed manager Jerry Manuel during spring training, is believed to be headed to Citi Field for the series finale against the Washington Nationals, sources told ESPNNewYork.

The corresponding move is expected to be placing right-hander Sean Green on the disabled list. According to a team source, Green has been dealing with a small tear in the rib-cage area. Green allowed a solo homer to Florida’s Dan Uggla on Wednesday in his lone regular-season appearance.

I actually felt that Valdes was going to make the team out of spring training at the time and was surprised when the Mets opted to go with Green instead. Valdes had a 2.06 ERA in six appearances, allowing one run and three hits while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He is on loan from Tabasco in the Mexican League.

Valdes was 0-1, with a 3.68 ERA in 20 games with Double-A Binghamton that season.