I can’t believe it… just one more week until opening day!
There’s a lot of little things here and there to report this morning, and rather than inundate you with a half dozen little posts, I’ll get all of you caught up on the latest.
Yesterday, the Mets lost a rain-soaked affair 5-1 to the Baltimore Orioles. It seems like we’ve played them twenty times this spring. Mike Pelfrey was supposed to start and toss at least five innings but was shut down after just 12 pitches due to a long rain delay. He will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday to get his work in. Brian Stokes took over when playing resumed and pitched 2 2/3 solid innings in the loss. Both teams square off again today.
Speaking of Stokes, yesterday I wrote that the Mets and Tigers were talking about a trade that involved reliever Brian Stokes, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. Today, we learned a few more details thanks to the NY Post. It looked like the trade was very close to going down and in return the Mets were getting IF/OF Ryan Rayburn. Omar pulled out because he liked what he saw out of Stokes this spring and envisions him as the Mets long man in the bullpen. I took a look at Rayburn and came away unimpressed, I’d much rather have Stokes.
Right-hander Fernando Nieve, acquired on waivers from Houston two weeks ago may be falling behind Darren O’Day for the final bullpen spot. He has struggled with his command this spring, and has allowed nine walks and twelve hits in 10.2 innings pitched, His spring ERA stands at 6.75 and he has just days left to turn things around.
Adam Rubin has revealed that Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza are expected to team up one more time to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mets’ home opener on April 13 against the Padres. You may remember that they both closed out Shea Stadium with the ceremonial final pitch.
St. John’s Red Storm lost to the Georgetown Hoyas 6-4 at Citi Field on Sunday. St. Johns alumni and former Mets closer, John Franco threw out the first pitch. The bad weather kept many fans away, but it was still a great turnout. One of the biggest attractions of the day, was actually the old homerun apple which sits in bullpen plaza. Hundreds of fans took pictures with the old but cherished relic before, during and after the game. The will Mets get their first look at the new ballpark on Friday and Saturday when they host the Boston Red Sox for their final two exhibition games.
