Beating a dead horse: Aaron Heilman as a starter

I've had it just about up to here with this talk, and I thought most fans were past this point, past this question. I figured people had given up, closed shop and gone home.

Nope.

Fans continue to beat this dead horse into oblivion.

In Marty Noble's latest mailbag, the question is resurrected like a stubborn zombie on All Hallows Eve:
If for some reason Pedro Martinez or Orlando Hernandez could not start the season, would Aaron Heilman be given the chance to join the starting rotation? Or have his chances of ever being a starting pitcher become naught?
-- John E., Topeka, Kan.

Stop.
Why is everyone still absolutely fascinated with the idea that Heilman can magically come out of the pen and start? Years ago, when Heilman was still accustomed to starting, pitching more innings, it would have made relief. But after staying exclusively in the bullpen for the last few years, pitching one or two innings usually, how in the world would he be able to come out and throw 5 or more?

Don't we have enough guys (El Duque, Mike Pelfrey, Jorge Sosa...heck, even Tony Armas Jr.) that could fill this hole better than Heilman could?

Does that one-hitter back in 2005 still tickle your fancy for Heilman to start?

I don't get this. At all. I'm as big of a Heilman fan as the next guy, besides when he gives up home runs all the time, but gee whiz, it's time you stop living in the past. He's been a relief pitcher for 3 years now, his arm and stamina are not tailored to pitch probably more than 3 innings.

So here is my plea: Stop beating the dead horse that is "Heilman should start!" It's over. Done. No mas.

Injury update: Castro

Ramon Castro's MRI came back, and he was diagnosed with a strained right hamstring.

Castro is listed as day-to-day, and is back behind the plate catching Mike Pelfrey in the simulated game today.

If he's back so soon, he has to be feeling all right.

Brian Schneider is slated to be back to face the Cleveland Indians tomorrow, so there is a chance the Mets might have their starter and backup catcher back by opening day.

Pelfrey versus El Duque

Mike Pelfrey and Orlando Hernandez will face off against each other in a simulated game at Tradition Field. This is the only action going on in camp today.

The game is intended to get El Duque more reps before he makes his first start, but because he and Pelfrey are on the same schedule, it looks like the battle for the 5th starter spot.

The game will be complete with fielders, so we might get a bit of a gauge on who is leading this "race."

Game Recap: Mets 7 -- Nationals 3

Oliver Perez looked as good as ever, pitching 5 innings of one run ball, leading the New York Mets to a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Perez had a no hitter through 3 2-3 innings, when it was broken up by Ryan Zimmerman with a single into leftfield. Perez gave up one unearned run on two hits. Perez walked none while striking out five. Perez only faced two over the minimum in his five innings of work.

The most impressive stat up there is the walks. If he can keep his pitches under control, he becomes a totally different pitcher. 1-4, I think the Mets have the best starting rotation around.

Joe Smith and Duaner Sanchez each allowed a run on two hits in relief. Sanchez tallied one strikeout. The Mets got hitless and scoreless innings from Ricardo Rincon and Joselo Diaz. Diaz managed to walk three in his inning and not allow the Nationals to score.

Smith can't seem to go a day without giving up a run. Sanchez merely appearing in the game is a plus, he soon needs to start limiting the damage and be able to recover quicker before I pencil him into the bullpen. Rincon bounced back nicely after getting torched in his last appearance.

The Mets were all over the bases today, stealing 5 bases in 4 2-3 of an inning. All the bases were stolen off the battery of Micheal O'Connor and Jesus Flores.

Very fitting O'Connor got the start today.

Jose Reyes went 2-3, with a run scored. He also swiped two bases. Endy Chavez went 1-2 with a walk and a run scored. Chavez swiped one base.

Speed behind speed at the top of the lineup is the best thing, I think. Hopefully when Luis Castillo fills that hole, on his new knees, he'll be able to create scoring opportunities.

David Wright went 2-3 on the day, scoring once and driving in two runs in the 5th inning. Wright also picked up a bag, stealing second. Fernando Martinez and Brady Clark each also picked up two hits. Martinez scored twice, while Clark only scored once. Martinez struck out twice, as well. Clark swiped his third bag of the spring too.

Good stuff from these guys today. Can't ask for much more. Clark's stock is rising rapidly.

Fernando Tatis went 0-5. Ryan Church, playing in his first game since the birth of his son Mason, went 0-4, with two strikeouts, a walk, and a run scored.

I would much rather see another guy getting reps at first, not Tatis. Or Olmedo Saenz, for that matter. Have to give Church a break here, he's probably running on no sleep.

Lineup vs. the Nationals

The Mets travel to Viera to take on the Washington Nationals for a 1:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:

SS Jose Reyes
OF Endy Chavez
3B David Wright
2B Damion Easley
1B Fernando Tatis
DH Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
OF Fernando Martinez
OF Brady Clark

SP Oliver Perez

Easley is hitting cleanup? Tatis at first? What's going on here? Perez should go 5 innings today, which will be interesting to watch.

Injury updates: Delgado, Castro

Carlos Delgado was speared in the arm with a shard off of Brady Clark's bat in the third inning yesterday, received 4 stitches in his arm.

Delgado was scheduled for a off-day today, and is hoping to return on Wednesday against the Indians.

Only the Mets. Now the injuries are less frequent, the becoming more strange and freakish. Get it out of your system now, Metties.

---

Ramon Castro will get an MRI on his ailing right hamstring after leaving yesterdays game in the second inning. Castro hit a ball, which would have been an easy double, to left field, but limped out of the box to first base.

Does anyone miss Johnny Estrada yet?

Delgado forced to leave game

Carlos Delgado was speared in the right arm by a shard from Brady Clark's broken bat and was forced to leave the game in the third inning.

By the time Delgado got off the field, his arm was covered in blood from the gash. He needed 4 stitches to close the cut.

Castro leaves game

Ramon Castro had to leave the game in the bottom of the second inning after knocking what should have been a double to left field, he ended up limping to first base. As soon as he hit the ball and broke out of the box, you could see he was in pain. Gustavo Molina has replaced him.

According to Kevin Burkhardt, Castro felt something while running to first, but did not re-injure his right hamstring.

Live Game Commentary: Tigers at Mets

The Comeback Kid is on the mound while the Mets take on the Tigers at Tradition Field.

First inning:
Well, Pudge Rodriguez leads off with a single off the first pitch from Pedro Martinez. Dandy. And one the next pitch, Martinez gets a perfect double-play ground ball. 2 pitches. 2 outs. Pedro's up to 88 mph in the first inning here. Is it me, or does he look a lot thinner from the waist down? Miguel Cabrera works the count 3-2 before popping up to Brady Clark. Pedro looked great in the top of the first. He was flustered a little bit on some close calls on the outside of the plate, but busted Cabrera in and eventually jammed him enough to get him to pop up to right.

Jose Reyes needs to stop trying to run up and "butcher boy" the ball. He has enough pop in his bat, and speed to match, that he just needs to put the ball on the ground. Reyes cracks one to deep right, it bounces off the base of the wall and Reyes is into third with a stand up triple to lead off the game. Luis Castillo knows exactly what he needs to do to get the runs in, as he chops one to second to bring in Reyes easily. That's what I love about Castillo, he's willing to sacrifice for the team. David Wright rips one to his third base counterpart, who makes a diving stab and throw. Carlos Beltran, the DH today, walks on 5 pitches. Carlos Delgado hits one right up the middle, and into the shift, for a fielders choice. All Delgado needs to do this year is go the other way more. He does that, the shift goes away, and then he can spray balls all over the field.

Second inning:
Magglio Ordonez is an absolute beast. He crushes a double off the wall in center field. That hair is just too funny. Old friend Timo Perez is up at the plate, and chases a ball low and away from Pedro. Martinez looks very comfortable up on the mound today. And apparently, Pedro is a little too comfortable. On a ground ball to Delgado, Pedro stutters on the mound and can't beat a speedy Perez to the bag. 1st and 3rd, no out. Nice running play by Clark, who makes a running grab in right field, keeping the runners at their bags. A very quick pickoff throw to first from Pedro. He looks very fit and lean on the mound this year. I must be a jinx. Pedro walks the next batter on 4 pitches. Bases loaded, 1 out. Ramon Santiago is up, and Pedro is working the fastball away. Martinez got up to 89 on one pitch. Fastball, low and in gets Santiago looking for his first strikeout of the game. Ground ball to first, and Pedro sprints to first to cover the bag in time. Inning over, no damage done. Great job by Martinez to work his way out of that jam.

Glad to see Marlon Anderson back in the lineup. Crazy that Ryan Church is able to come back from the concussion quicker than Anderson. Ground out to second, Anderson is retired. Again, glad to see Ramon Castro back in the game. Broken bat to left, misplayed by Perez, and he pulled up at first. As soon as he hit the ball, he felt a twinge in his hamstring and will now leave the game. Super! Clark is promptly plunked on the hip, two on, one out. Endy Chavez works out a walk, and the bases are loaded for Reyes. They're piping in the "Jose Jose Jose" chant. Oh, real baseball is almost here. Fly ball to center, Gustavo Molina scores from third, and all the other runners move up on a missed cutoff man. Smart baserunning from Clark and Chavez. Castillo hits the same exact chopper to second base. Inning over, 2-0 Mets.

Third inning:
Pudge rips one to third, and skips past Wright for a single. Three innings, three leadoff hits. One of those dorky guys on the cell phone is standing behind home plate waving to the camera. They crack me up all the time. I must be in The Twilight Zone, because Pudge just tried to steal second base. Molina throws an absolutely perfect ball to second to nail him. A looping 68 mph curveball to get ahead on Cabrera 0-2. That was dirty. Molina and Martinez are having a bit of trouble with the pitches, which is why the Mets need to find a steady, healthy catcher who will be with the team in April. A 74 mph changeup, low and in gets Cabrera swinging. Easily Pedro's best inning.

Wright works a leadoff walk to start the third inning. Update on Brian Schneider: Feeling good and ran the bases today, will be ready for Wednesday's game against the Indians. Beltran grounds one up the middle, tips off the pitchers glove and to the shortstop. Beltran looked like he was running well, but not nearly at full speed as the throw beat him to the bag. Delgado goes the other way again, ripping a double into left. Wright scores easily. 3-0. I think everyone can get off Delgado's back now. Anderson, who actually kept both hands on the bat for his swing, rips a single into right. 1st and 3rd, and that's the day for Yorman Bazardo, who doesn't look happy at all. Molina smokes one right to Cabrera's glove, 2 away for Clark. Broken bat looper to short, while Delgado gets hit by a piece of Clark's bat. It was no Tommy Lasorda tumble, but Delgado hit the deck but still got nailed by the bat in the right arm.

Fourth inning:
Delgado was removed from the game. Pretty deep cut into his right arm. Anderson has moved to first. Pedro works Ordonez beauitifully, fanning him on a curveball. Perez quickly pops up to Wright. A 2-2 curveball from Pedro goes behind the ducking head of the batter and nearly hits the bat. A tough AB between Pedro and Brett Cleven, with Martinez winning as he gets Cleven to pop out to center. 1-2-3 inning for Martinez.
Final line for Pedro: 4 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts. I'll take it.

Missed that first out, bloggers have to potty too! Pedro will do a "naked belly dance" (I think) to try and prevent more injuries to the Mets. Sounds good to me. Reyes pops out to left, 2 away. Quick inning for the Mets, down 1-2-3.

Fifth inning:
Matt Wise coming into the game for the Mets. Wise has looked spectacular in relief for the Mets so far. I really like his stuff. Two changeups for strikes and Wise gets Hollimon swinging for his first out. The bunt is popped into the air and Wise makes a amazing diving grab for the out. Oh man, one of the best plays so far this spring. Great stuff from Wise. Guzman strikes out swinging. Amazing inning from Wise. Two K's and a defensive gem with the diving grab.

This will be my last inning as I have to pack up everything to head back to Connecticut. Game recap will be up later tonight.
Wright pulls one to Santiago at short, 1 away. Beltran pops one up to center field, 2 out. Jamar Hill up for the Mets. I have no idea who that is. Hill quickly pops one up to left.

Enjoy the rest of the game!

Lineup vs. the Tigers

The Comeback Kid, Pedro Martinez, will make his first start of the spring as the Mets welcome the Detroit Tigers for a 1:10 p.m. game. It will be televised on SNY.

Lineup:
Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran DH
Carlos Delgado 1B
Marlon Anderson LF
Ramon Castro C
Brady Clark RF
Endy Chavez CF

Pedro Martinez SP

Castillo is playing in the field for the second straight day, so you know he must be feeling good. Beltran will hit in the DH spot, probably a little sore after being tested so many times yesterday. Also, a big plus to have Castro back behind the plate. According to David Lennon, Brian Schneider is planning on catching the game on Wednesday.