This Weeks Roster Moves
After an Amazin’ series versus the defending world champions, the Mets arrived in Atlanta looking for more. The Mets made small moves, if you want to call it small, over the past week. Actually, they only made like two or three roster moves from the last update. With that said, here they are:
Mets placed Guillermo Mota on the restricted list. He is currently serving a 50-game drug suspension.
The Mets optioned Mike Pelfrey to Class A – St. Lucie Mets
Mets placed Pedro Martinez, Juan Padilla, Dave Williams, and Duaner Sanchez on the 15-day DL.
Mike Pelrey will probably be called up in the middle of the month. The Mets do not need a 5th starter due to the fact that there are more off days during the first couple weeks of baseball, than the rest of the schedule (having two days off in eight days). I expect the Mets to call him up between next week and the week after. As of right now, he’s taking advantage of the warm weather over at Port St. Lucie.
Those were the roster moves this week. Pretty much nothing if you ask me. Well, hopefully there’s more news next week.
Minor League News
AAA – New Orleans Zephyrs
4/5/07 – The New Orleans Zephyrs had its first game of the season on Thursday against the Nashville Sound (the Milwaukee Brewers’ AAA affiliate). The Zephyrs defeated the Sounds 4-1.
Pitching – Philip Humber got the start and went five solid innings receiving the win. Humber struck out four, while walking three. He only gave up one hit and one run. Lino Urdaneta came in and got the save.
Hitting – Ruben Gotay (2B) had a solo home run, the first of the season and the first of the Zephyrs. Anderson Hernandez (SS) added on two RBIs. Mets phenom, Carlos Gomez (CF) got his first hit of the season, belting out a double. Ricky Ledee (1B) and Chip Ambres (LF) were also solid with two base hits.
4/6/07 – After a strong debut, the Zephyrs continued their series against the Sounds. However, they were defeated 4-3.
Pitching – Jason Vargas got the start and was solid. He went six innings allowing six hits and striking out four. Jon Adkins, however, was ugly. He lost the game giving up a game-winning HR in the bottom of the 9th.
Hitting – Carlos Gomez (CF) had another strong game. He had two hits, including a double, and one RBI. Anderson Hernandez (SS) was also joined Gomez as he had two base hits.
AA – Binghamton Mets
4/5 & 4/6 – The Binghamton Mets were supposed to have their first game on Thursday, but it was postponed due to cold weather/snow. It was rescheduled to Friday, but that game was also postponed. They were supposed faced the Akron Aeros (the Cleveland Indians’ AA affiliate). Kevin Mulvey is supposed to get the start for the first game, whenever that is.
A (adv.) – St. Lucie Mets
4/5/07 – The St. Lucie Mets, along with the rest of the Mets affiliate, had its first game of the season Thursday night. The St. Lucie Mets faced the Vero Beach Devil Rays (the Tampa Bay Devil Rays A affiliate). The Mets defeated the Devil Rays 2-0 (7 innings). The game was shortened due to rain.
Pitching – Deolis Guerra got the start and was superb. The 17-year old righty went five innings, striking out five, while only giving up two hits. Although he didn’t receive the win, he looked outstanding. Mike Swindell went two innings and got the win.
Hitting – Seven players on the Mets roster got a base hit. Joshua Petersen (RF) got the only RBI of the game.
4/6/07 – After blanking the Devil Rays in their first game of the season, the St. Lucie Mets repeated the performance Friday night. The Mets won 4-0.
Pitching – Jonathan Niese got the start for the Mets and foloowed Guerra. He went five strong innings, striking out three while only allowing one hit. Although he didn’t get the win, he did pitch wonderfully. Jake Ruckle picked up the win giving up four hits in three innings.
Hitting – Nick Evans (1B) sparked a three-run seventh with a lead off homer and added an RBI single in the eighth to cap the scoring. Drew Butera (C) was solid at the plate with two doubles and two walks.
A – Savannah Sand Gnats
4/5/07 – The Savannah Sand Gnats hosted its first game against the Asheville Tourists (the Colorado Rockies’ A affiliate) on Thursday. The Sand Gnats lost to the Tourist 7-4.
Pitching – Tobi Stoner got the start was good as he went four innings while striking out five. He gave up three hits and only allowing one run. Nelson Portillo wasn’t so great. He came on to relieve Stoner but gave up three hits in only 2.2 innings. He gave up a home run, and allowed five runs to score, four were unearned runs due to errors. Emary Frederick came on for 2.1 innings and gave up three hits, while allowing one run. Frederick also struck out two batters.
Hitting – There were some bright spots in the Sand Gnats line-up. Francisco Pena (C), the Mets catching prospect, had two hits. Greg Veloz (DH) got a triple and both Leivi Ventura (3B) and Brahiam Maldonado (LF) hit solo HRs.
4/6/07 – The Sand Gnats wanted to bounce back from a tough lost from the Tourist. But, they were outplayed as they lost 6-1.
Pitching – Joshua Stinson got the start and gave up three runs on five hits. David Koons was strong though. He went 1.2 innings striking out two, without allowing a hit.
Hitting – Leivi Ventura (3B) was strong again. He had three hits and one RBI. Juan Lagares (SS) had two hits including a double.
SS – Brooklyn Cyclones
Opening day for the Brooklyn Cyclones is June 19th at home against the Staten Island Yankees.
Latest Mets Rumors
Paul Lo Duca’s contract will expire at the end of the 2007 season. Lo Duca says he wants to stay here with the Mets, but the team says they will not do anything until the end of the season. As of 4/6/2007, Lo Duca is batting .444 with eight hits and four RBIs.
Remember the last update where I didn’t want the Mets to trade for Mr. Williams (Todd Williams)? Well, that trade may be in limbo. According to a baseball source, the Orioles turned down an offer from Colorado Rockies. That deal was for Byung Hyun Kim for Todd Williams. The Orioles also turned down an offer from the Mets, Jorge Sosa for Williams. In my opinion, thank god. I wouldn’t want another old pitcher, that can’t throw strikes, in the Mets bullpen. It’ll be a disaster.
The Mets are one of the early favorites for Alex Rodriguez, who may be opting out his final year of his contract. The other teams are Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs.
All information courtesy of MiLB.com, Mets.com, NYDailyNews.com, Newsday.com, ProSportsDaily.com
