Month: February 2009

Santana Out With Tender Elbow

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...

Read More

Mets Position Battle Watch: Bullpen

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...

Read More

Why Is Oliver Perez Batting Second

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...

Read More

Mets Position Battle Watch: Backup First Baseman

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,...

Read More

All Hands On Deck

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!...

Read More