Injury updates: Beltran, Delgado, El Duque

John Delcos gives us a quick rundown of the injured and some updates on how they are feeling:

-Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were not on the original travel squad, but were added. The line-ups haven’t been posted yet. The Mets are waiting to see how Beltran feels.

-Ramon Castro has a tight hamstring. So does Brian Schneider.

-Orlando Hernandez will have to throw at least one more simulated game before appearing in an exhibition game.

Good news on Beltran and Delgado, because if they're willing to make the trip to Jupiter, they have to be feeling good.

Super. Both the catchers, who I just tagged as "simple choices" for the opening day roster, are hurting.

And all this talk about Mike Pelfrey vs. El Duque gets more and more interesting every day. El Duque said his next session would be in a game, and now we have this. Pelfrey is still leading in my book.

Poll results: Pagan squeaks one out

The latest poll is closed, here are the results.

Who will play more games in left field?
Angel Pagan - 41% (16 votes)
Endy Chavez - 35% (14 votes)
Moises Alou - 23% (9 votes)

Pagan, so far, has proven he can play in left field, but when the season comes along it will be a whole different story. Hopefully he can keep this up if he does get the starting nod in left. Chavez will play all over the place and get spot starts all around the outfield as the Mets struggle to keep Carlos Beltran healthy all year. Alou will go through another year of injuries, still, he will be a professional hitter as usual.

The opening day roster (fielders)

The opening day roster is far from set, at least in a few positions, so here's my stab at predicting the 25-man squad for the New York Mets.

Catchers:
Brian Schneider
Ramon Castro

That one is pretty simple. Even though Schneider is battling a hamstring injury, he claims he'll be ready for opening day. Castro should see more time behind the plate for the Mets this season as they'll try to spell Schneider and keep him fresh throughout the season.

Infielders:
Carlos Delgado
Luis Castillo
David Wright
Jose Reyes
Marlon Anderson
Jose Valentin (Ruben Gotay)

Even though Castillo is yet to see action in spring, he'll be the starting second baseman come April. Delgado, Wright, and Reyes are all locks. Anderson makes the most sense as the backup first baseman, but I would rather he come off the bench late in the game. He could also see some time in the outfield. Gotay is out of options, so he has to be on the 25-man squad or he can be picked up by another team. I'm not too sure how that all works, but if Gotay is on the 25-man roster, and is on the DL, I think Valentin will make the team in his place.

Outfield:
Carlos Beltran
Ryan Church
Angel Pagan
Endy Chavez
Damion Easley

Beltran will gain stamina, and will soon be able to play all 9 innings without getting tired. Church will finally get a chance in the outfield to be a starter, hopefully also against lefties. Pagan, as of now, should be the starter in left, and he has proven himself so far this spring. Chavez is great off the bench, and will also make spot starts all around the outfield to spell all three starters. Easley still seems to be favoring his ankle, but played third base in a recent game. He'll be the super-utility player all around, probably starting or playing every position but pitcher, catcher and center field at sometime this season.

Schneider's hamstring

Brian Schneider has only five at-bats this season. On one of them, he took deep to right field for a home run. His right hamstring is still a bother, and will keep him out of yet another game today against the Marlins.

Jeremy Cothran updates us on his NJ.com blog:

The catcher insists he will be ready for Opening Day. He's still able to catch bullpens and take batting practice, but hasn't been able to run without pain.
"I don't see myself missing anytime in the regular season," Schneider said. "But it's something I don't know about. I mean, that's why I'm trying to take it as slow as possible right now, because we can. But at the same time, I want to get back there and start catching, taking some ABs and seeing some pitches."

Luckily, he has been able to catch some pitchers in the bullpen to work up some camaraderie between the battery. The Mets brought him in to be a great defensive catcher and call a game from behind the plate, and so far he hasn't been able to show the team anything so far this spring.

He's a smart man, so he should be able to pick up on things that he has only seen a few times. I think he's a perfect fit for the Mets, and as long as he can get healthy and stay healthy, he will be a great addition and greatly help out the pitching staff.

Has Big Pelf earned a spot?

Mike Pelfrey is trying to work his way to a starting spot on the Mets roster, but has he done enough?

Anthony Rieber, in Newsday, doesn't believe that Pelfrey has earned his spot.

From Rieber:

The math is simple. The Mets aren't going to take six starting pitchers to Miami when the season opens March 31. And Pelfrey hasn't really done enough in his last two outings to make manager Willie Randolph's decision difficult.

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Even Pelfrey agreed it was a so-so performance at best for a pitcher who likely needs a boffo spring training or an injury to one of the Mets' top five to make the club.

I have to agree with Rieber here. Pelfrey has not earned his spot in the rotation yet, but you have to remember that El Duque is yet to face another team in spring training. At this point, I have Pelfrey penciled in for the 5th spot purely because no one has seen what Duque can do yet.

He may not have earned it, but he is there by default because he's healthy, something El Duque probably won't be able to boast all year.

It's great to see that Pelfrey knows this isn't his best stuff, and he might still be shaking the rust off from a long winter. It's typical New York media to come crashing down upon a young kid who is trying to prove himself, and lean towards the veteran. Unfortuantely this veteran hasn't seen action yet this season and is toying with a new delivery, so who knows how that will affect how he preforms.

Right now, Pelfrey should still be leading for the spot despite some rough outings. We have a strong enough rotation in front of him that the 5th starter, and he would be just that, a FIFTH starter, doesn't have to be an Ace. Give the kid a chance.

How Beltran's feeling; Citi Field All Star Game

Carlos Beltran made his first start in center field today, staying in the game only 4 innings beofre leaving due to tiredness.

Adam Rubin relays a quote from Beltran:

"I got tired a little bit. It’s still the same. The left side is weaker than the right side. … I’m not ready to play nine innings right now. This is something that’s not going to be gone in one day. It’s going to take time."

He still has over 2 weeks to get ready to play in a full game, but at least he got in a few innings. Just take your time, Beltran, take you time.

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Citi Field has also been tagged as the possible site of the 2013 All Star Game.

Again, from Rubin:

“I’m assured by the commissioner that he will make an announcement shortly on a year when we will get an All-Star Game,” chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon told ESPN 1050-AM. “It will be out a few years but I think it will be something that everyone can look forward to.”

Awesome. But lets just get through this last year at Shea first.

Game Recap: Cardinals 6 -- Mets 5

The Mets gave up a run in the 9th and 10th innings en route to a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 6-5.

Mike Pelfrey made the start for the Mets today, rebounding from a 7-run effort last time out. Pelfrey allowed 6 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) in 4 2-3 innings. Pelfrey induced 6 ground ball outs, 7 pop fly outs. Pelfrey walked 2 batters and struck out 1.

A better outing, but this is going simply by numbers. With El Duque getting healthier and working with the new windup, we probably will see a superb competition for the 5th spot down the stretch of spring training.

Matt Wise pitched 1 1-3 of an inning, allowing one run on 3 hits. Wise struck out 1. Pedro Feliciano allowed an unearned run to score on 2 hits. Feliciano also struck out one batter.

Both of these guys will be mainstays in the bullpen come the regular season. A bit of a shaky day for them, along with the rest of the pitching staff.

Jorge Sosa allowed a run in the 9th inning to allow the Cardinals to tie up the game. Sosa pitched 2 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits. Sosa struck out two batters, while walking none. Joselo Diaz took the loss, allowing one run in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Sosa is a curious case. If Pelfrey doesn't take the 5th spot in the rotation, does he go down to AAA or will he become the long man in the 'pen? If he does take the spot in the 'pen, what happens to Sosa?

Jose Reyes went 2-3 today, scoring two runs. Endy Chavez also went 2-3, knocking in 2 runs with a double in the third inning. Chavez also scored one run in today's game.

Nice production from the top of the lineup today.

Fernando Martinez went 2-2 as a sub, picking up two doubles. Pelfrey went 1-2, scoring once to help his own cause. Brady Clark subbed in, going 1-1 with a walk and run scored. Olmedo Saenz picked up an RBI, going 1-2.

Checking in on the Carloses, Carlos Beltran went 1-2, with an RBI while making the start in centerfield today. Carlos Delgado went 0-3, but did not strike out.

Delgado needs to pick it up, and soon. Beltran left after 4 innings due to tiredness.

Pelfrey's final line

Mike Pelfrey: 4.2 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 2 walks, 1 strikeout.

A much better day than last outing. I see the Mets are starting to stretch beyond 4 innings, which means real baseball is inching closer and closer.

Duaner Sanchez update

Duaner Sanchez pitched in yesterdays game, allowing one run. Today, John Delcos relays an update that says Sanchez might pitch as early as today.

From Delcos:

A key in determining whether Duaner Sanchez will make the Opening Day roster is his ability to work consecutive games. He won’t today, but I asked him if he were physically able to and he said yes.

If the Mets can get Duaner back into gear, on back to back days, and actually get results from him, the bullpen will keep looking better and better.

Still, I worry he'll make the team, make his first appearance and go down with an injury. And at that point the Mets would have sent Steven Register back to Colorado. It would be fitting for the Mets, wouldn't it?

Lineup vs. the Cardinals

The Mets took a drive to Jupiter, Fla. to take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium for a 1:05 p.m. start.

Lineup:

Jose Reyes SS
Endy Chavez LF
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Ryan Church RF
Ramon Castro C
Damian Easley 2B
Mike Pelfrey P

I see they're playing real baseball now, no DH.
Take note: Beltran is out in CF today, patrolling the field for the first time this spring.