Quick notes before I head out

I'll be out and about today, so I won't be able to post a game lineup. A recap should be in by tonight though.

-Orlando Hernandez threw a simulated game this morning while using his new windup. He tossed 3 inning (60 pitches, 38 strikes) to a minor-league group. Without fielders to shag balls, El Duque seemed to give up 8 hits and 2 runs, one of which came on a home run to Rene Reyes. Bart Hubbuch reports that El Duque's next session will be a start in Grapefruit League play.

I need to see what Duque can do in a game to try and gauge where the 5th starters spot stands. This might be a tough one for Willie Randolph & Co.

-Luis Castillo could get into the lineup today at Tradition Field. The ailing second baseman could return soon, and possibly as early as todays game against the Orioles, reports Peter Botte.

If the Mets can field the starting team just once before spring is over, I'll be a happy man.

-Oliver Perez takes the mound to face the Baltimore Orioles at Tradition Field, a 1:10 p.m. start. The game is available on SNY.

Photo of the Day: Pagan

Angel Pagan gets a face full of dirt while sliding into third base with a 2-run triple.
Does he make the team? Does he get the starting nod? Stay tuned to find out...
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Your Yankees news of the day: Joba, Ian and Phil get a nickname

The three top pitchers from the Yankees organization have officially cursed themselves.

According to Phil Hughes, on his person website, they have settled on the nickname "The Three Amigos."

That's where it begins guys, then "Generation K" happens, and we all know how that story ends. Good luck in your now cursed season!

Game Recap: Red Sox 4 -- Mets 3

The Mets sent the B-squad to take on the Boston Red Sox, and lost by a score of 4-3.

Nelson Figueroa made the start, going 3 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout. Figueroa allowed one home run, a solo shot to lead off the second inning by Mike Lowell. Figueroa's spring scoreless streak came to an end with that homer.

Steven Register got back on track today, pitching 2 innings of 2 hit ball without allowing a run to score. Register didn't walk or strikeout anyone, but after his last game, pitching a pair of scoreless innings is wonderful.

Ruddy Lugo, Joselo Diaz and Nate Field finished out the game, each pitching a scoreless and hitless inning. Lugo and Field each struck out one while Diaz K'd two.

Besides Figueroa's runs, the bullpen looked pretty good today. If we can get this kind of results from our major league club, all our prayers would be answered.

Angel Pagan hit a 2-run triple, going 1-3 on the day. Ryan Church went 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Jose Valentin, who served as the DH, went 0-2 with 2 walks.

Not much to take away from this game. Pagan seems to be solidifying his role on the team and Register regained his composure with 2 innings of scoreless baseball.

Note: Pedro Martinez pitched a simulated game today, throwing 53 pitches in 4 innings. He allowed 4 hits, all singles, to Carlos Beltran and a group of minor leaguers. Beltran went 1-5.

Results from Pedro's sim-game

Pedro Martinez made his second "appearance" of the spring, pitching in another simulated game back in Port St. Lucie.

Pedro tossed 59-pitches, allowing four hits, all singles. He struck out two and walked none.

From Bart Hubbuch:

Facing Carlos Beltran Carlos Beltran and three rookie-level minor leaguers on the main diamond at Tradition Field, Pedro threw 43 strikes while striking out two and walking none. He allowed four hits, all of them singles.

Martinez topped out at 87 mph on the radar gun but said he was happy with his velocity and command. His change-up was in the 68-72 mph range.

Jeremy Cothran quotes Rick Peterson on Pedro's simulated game:

"It was like a test drive," pitching coach Rick Peterson said. "He was going to go out there and do all the things he wanted to do."

Pedro should pitch Sunday against the Tigers in Port St. Lucie. As any fan would be, I'm pretty excited to get Pedro back in gear. The 1-2 punch is almost complete and back to normal.

Lennon: Add Pagan to the roster

There is a growing number of us (and if you're not one of us, I don't understand how) who would like to officially announce the addition of Angel Pagan to the New York Mets roster soon, preferably yesterday.

David Lennon has joined our ranks:

It's time to just put Angel Pagan on the Opening Day roster. Done deal. Pagan is playing out of his mind this spring and is doing it again today against the Red Sox. Guy never makes an out. In the first inning, Pagan hit a laser off Tim Wakefield that Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis barely managed to snare with a great lunging catch toward the line. Normally, that's a double.

In the third inning, this time with two runners on, Pagan launched a triple into the left-centerfield gap to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. And to top it off, Nelson Figueroa owes him dinner for the saving grab he made to end the third. With the bases loaded, and two outs, Pagan made a charging, diving catch to rob Jed Lowrie. He's doing it all.

And if he can keep doing it all, I'll be even more excited. Keep it up, Mr. Pagan, we're all pulling for you.

Reyes the latest to get punk'd

It seems that pranks are in full swing this spring training.

After punkings (read: pranking) by the Phillies and the Yankees, Jose Reyes is the latest to fall victim to the rash of high jinks.

According to Jeremy Cothran and Peter Botte, Reyes' locker was completely empty when he strolled in to camp this morning. No clothes, no equipment, not even a nameplate.

From Botte:

The Mets shortstop showed up in the locker room around 9 this morning to an empty stall - no gear, no bling, no personal items, no nameplate even - he was apparently the target of a prank by one of his teammates who had to arrive considerably earlier to catch a 7 a.m. bus to face the BoSox again across Alligator Alley in Fort Myers.

Reyes was none-too-pleased, although equipment manager Charlie Samuels found all of the gear and clothes in an empty stall a few cubicles down the row, between those belonging to Endy and Alou.

Of all people, I think Reyes' is the last guy I would choose to mess with his clothes. I'm surprised there wasn't a security system on his fancy duds.

Lineup vs. the Red Sox

The Mets are underway in City of Palms Park against the Boston Red Sox. It's a long trip, so ot many regular players have made the trip.

Lineup:
Argenis Reyes 2B
Endy Chavez CF
Angel Pagan LF
Ryan Church RF
Damion Easley 3B
Jose Valentin DH
Raul Casanova C
Olmedo Saenz 1B
Anderson Hernandez SS

Nelson Figueroa SP

Interested to see how Easley does at third. He still looked like he was favoring his ankle when he played on Saturday. I'm getting a little scared about how much time Saenz is getting. Any chance he makes the team? I hope not.

Photo of the Day: Santana

Johan Santana had his best outing of the spring, pitching 4 scoreless innings of baseball, walking none, and striking out four with only 51 pitches.
(AP Photo/James A. Finley)

Yankees sign Billy Crystal

According to Scott Proctor's Arm, the Yankees have signed veteran Billy Crystal to a one-day contract with an invite to spring training.

Yes, that Billy Crystal.

From the press release:

“I’ve been waiting 50 years for this call,” Crystal exclaimed. “I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of the Yankees and Commissioner Selig. I know this’ll be tougher than the Broadway Softball League, but I’m looking forward to helping the younger players…which, by the way, is all of them. Oops, I have to go, Scott Boras is on the phone.”
...

“The Yankees are excited to welcome the newest member of our team known for his humor and wit as well as his undying love for the Yankees,” said Lonn Trost, Yankees Chief Operating Officer. “The Yankees are very grateful to the Commissioner’s office for allowing us to extend this special invitation to Mr. Crystal.”

Undying love for the Yankees, hmm? What about City Slickers?

That's what I thought.

The Mets should sign Jerry Seinfeld in retaliation.