Catchers up and down

You can take Robinson Cancel's mask out of contention for a possible spot on the roster if one of Brian Schneider or Ramon Castro can't go.

Cancel had an MRI on his knee, and will require surgery to repair it, reports Lisa Kennelly on NJ.com.

Pay attention to Gustavo Molina, who has been pretty good when he gets a chance along with Raul Casanova.

Brian Schneider did appear in a minor league game, going 2-4 with a walk, a home run, and double. He said he was good enough to go today, but was held out and will go tomorrow instead.

Game Recap: Mets 8 -- Nationals 2

This team seems like they are ready for the season. The Mets overcame a strong start from Matt Chico, and beat up the Nationals bullpen, winning 8-2.

Pedro Martinez put in 5 strong innings of work, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits. Pedro did not walk any batters, and struck out 4. Pedro gave up a solo home run to left in the 4th inning to Austin Kearns. Other than that, Pedro looks pretty dominant. He did hit a batter, but still was pretty under control through the majority of the game.

For only Pedro's second start of the spring, I'm more than happy with that.

The rest of the bullpen combined to only allow one hit and a walk through the next 4 innings. Ricardo Rincon pitched the 6th inning, striking out two batters and making Paul Lo Duca look silly in his first game back from an injury. Pedro Feliciano allowed the one hit, and nothing else in the 7th. Scott Schoeneweis and Matt Wise closed out the game, with Wise walking one.

Not only do we have a strong bullpen in the majors, but we will have strong reserves waiting in AAA if anyone happens to get injured.

The offense absolutely exploded today, scoring 8 runs on 16 hits.

Jose Reyes, who has been hot lately, went 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Reyes tried to stretch one of his doubles to a triple, but was beaten by about 10 steps and was easily tagged out. David Wright had a huge day, going 3-4, scoring twice and driving in 2. Wright absolutely crushed a ball to deep left center for the only Mets home run of the game.

"The young studs." Is it bad luck to name them? I'm surprised no one has a clever nickname for them yet.

Carlos Beltran went 2-3 on the day, picking up a double. Angel Pagan went 2-2 with a walk, and also scored one run. Pagan ripped a triple off the wall in right field, he cruised into third standing. Marlon Anderson subbed in the game at first base, going 2-2 with 2 RBI's and a run scored.

Beltran looks very healthy out there. Pagan had cooled down recently, but picked it right back up again today. How does the bench shake out in your eyes?

Luis Castillo, Endy Chavez and Anderson Hernandez also scored for the Mets. Fernando Tatis and Gustavo Molina each picked up the rest of the RBIs for the Mets.

Tatis and Molina have each contributed in limited duty the past few days. Any chance for either of them? I don't think so, but again, they can be nice AAA reserves if/when someone goes down.

Game Ball: D. Wright.

Note: Brian Schneider played in a minor league game. He went 2-4 with a walk, picking up a home run and a double. He was not allowed to go full power, but said he felt good enough to play. He said he should return tomorrow against the Indians, but we know to take what he says with a grain of salt.

Live Game Commentary: Nats at Mets

Another decaf version of the Live Game...

First inning:

• 1-1 on Christian Guzman, and Pedro Martinez and Raul Casanova are having a bit of trouble communicating. Pedro gets Guz to pop out to Jose Reyes on the outfield grass.
• Paul Lo Duca is making his first appearance of the spring, and gets a nice hand from the crowd. He looks to Pedro, and blows him a kiss. Interesting. Pedro works him 0-2, as he grounds one to Reyes' right, and he boots it.
• Ryan Zimmerman pokes one down the line in right and gets gunned down by Ryan Church as he tries to stretch it to a double. Church has an absolute gun in right. Lo Duca moved to third.
• Pedro and Casanova are still having issues with the signals. A beautiful changeup in the dirt against Dimitri Young for strike two, and an even nicer one to get him swinging to end the inning.

• I truly do not understand that Reyes commercial for MLB 2K8.

• Reyes surprisingly does not swing at the first pitch, but makes up for it with a terrible swing on a ball low and away to strike out.
• Luis Castillo does not have a pretty AB, and pops out to center.
• David Wright has a loopy swing, but pulls the ball into right field for a single. Not his prettiest swing.
• Carlos Beltran loves to call time right as the pitcher is about to deliver. It's like icing the kicker in football, I guess. Beltran pulls a double down the third base line. Looks pretty good running from home to second. Wright moves to third.
• Carlos Delgado pulls one down the first base line, which eats up Young. He keeps the ball in front of him as he doubles over and searches for the ball. He finds it and tosses it to Matt Chico running over to cover the bag. Chico trips while he catches the ball, tags the bag, and tumbles to the ground.

Second inning:

• Pedro promptly pegs the batter on the hip with his first pitch of the inning.
• Elijah Dukes rips a double to left. 2nd and 3rd, no one out. Not Pedros best work so far. He's giving up the balls away which is allowing the batters to put the balls down the line.
• Another ball ripped down the line, snagged by a diving Delgado. He rolls over the tosses to Pedro who came over to cover. Excellent play, but the run comes home. 1-0 Nats, man on third, 1 out.
• Ryan Langerhans works the count full, but goes down swinging on a ~75 mph changeup from Pedro.
• And a ground out to Reyes will end the inning. Pedro had two on in scoring position with no one out, and got out of the inning with only one run.

• Angel Pagan comes up for his first AB of the day. He really needs to pick it up if he doesn't want to end up in AAA. He started off very hot, but has cooled off significantly over the past few games. He cues a one hopper up the middle and beats out the throw for an infield single.
• Church didn't get on base again. How? I don't know.
• Casanova is putting together a tough at bat, and as I write that, he grounds into an inning ending double play.

Third inning:

• Pedro gets Guzman swinging for the first out of the inning.
• Apparently Lo Duca hit a single in the first inning. My bad. Lo Duca hits one to straightaway center, and Beltran has to go straight back to make the catch. Looks fine in the outfield. Almost 100% apparently.
• Another one right to Beltran, who has to backtrack a few steps to make the catch. 1-2-3 for Pedro.

• Martinez is making his first AB of the game. He pops out to shallow center.
• Reyes pops out in foul territory behind the plate.
• It's scary to say, but Chico is setting the Mets down quickly. Castillo is at the plate. He singles, and in his usual gimpy running style, gets down to first.
• Wright takes the first pitch from Chico and singles up the middle.
• Beltran knocks one to left, and Dukes falls down, but still makes the play.

Fourth inning:

• The Meat Hook is up to face Pedro. Chops one down to Castillo for the first out.
• Austin Kearns takes Pedro deep to left and over the wall. Right down the pipe from Martinez, and Kearns took advantage. 2-0 Nats.
• Martinez leaves a curveball hanging over the plate, and it is ripped to left field. Pagan charges and makes a diving grab for the out. Nice play.
• Swinging strike to end the inning, Martinez might be done.

• Delgado grounds out for the first out.
• Brian Schneider is playing in the minor league game, and he really looks uncomfortable as he runs to first on a ground out. I think SNY just figured out they can show the minor league game, as between every pitch, they switch to the back fields.
• Pagan works out a walk. And easily steals second on the very next pitch. Lo Duca's throw had arc on it. The Mets can't wait to exploit that.
  
• Church has at least gotten the count to 3-2 on the AB. Church grounds out to short, which doesn't allow Pagan to advance. I can already hear the boo birds for Church.
• Casanova pops out to Langerhans, and the inning is over.

Fifth inning:

• Pedro is still in.
• Allows a single to Langerhans up the middle.
• Chico commits a cardinal sin, popping up his bunt. Casanova catches it, and easily gets Langerhans out at first as he was running on the play. 2 away.
• Ground out to end the inning. Pedro might be done, again.

• Caleb Stewart is up hitting for Pedro, who is done for the day. He dribbles one down to first for the first out.
• 212-246-0416, if you would like to call in to the SNY booth. No joke. They're taking calls in the booth.
• Reyes doubles for the second straight game, which spells the end for Chico. A big day from him. Chris Schroder is in for the Nats.
• Reyes gets thrown out stealing third base. An odd sight for us Mets fans, Lo Duca threw out a runner. He absolutely looks safe on that, I'm sorry.
• Castillo...gets on base, somehow. Sorry, Drake / WKY is a great game.
• WP from Schroder, and Castillo practically walks to second.
• Wright absolutely CRUSHES a home run to left center. 2-2 game. That was long gone.
• Beltran bloops one off the glove of the second baseman in shallow right. Should be an error.
• They are busting Delgado inside here. He skies one to the catcher. Guess it worked.

Sixth inning:

• Ricardo Rincon is on to pitch, facing Lo Duca.
• Lo Duca looks absolutely foolish on a great pitch by Rincon. Strikes out swinging.
• Strike out looking, for Zimmerman. 3 pitches.
• Ground out to end the inning, and it elicits a fist-pump from Delgado. Great inning from Rincon.

• They're taking calls in the booth. This is hilarious.

• Pagan hits one off the wall for a stand up triple. I really don't know who is making this team anymore.
• Church walks on 4 pitches.
• Casanova has a chance to impress here, with 1st and 3rd and nobody out. Instead, he strikes out swinging.
• Pinch hitting master Marlon Anderson comes to the plate. Rips one off the wall, almost to the same spot as Pagan. Pagan scores, Church moves to third on Anderson's double.
• Reyes slices one into left center, and tries to stretch it to a triple but is easily gunned down at third. Two runs score to make it 5-2 Mets.
• Damion Easley at the dish. He puts one right to left field. Inning over.

I'll call it here for the day. I'll be back in a few with the recap.

Lineup vs. the Nationals

The Mets are taking on the Washington Nationals at home at 1:10 p.m. The game will be aired on SNY, and I'll be doing a Live Game.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
RH Pedro Martinez

Pedro's second start this spring. Pagan has fallen off recently, so if he hopes to make the squad over Brady Clark, he better start hitting again.

The 5th starter and the bullpen

According to Adam Rubin, and for no apparent reason, the Mets "appear to be leaning heavily toward carrying five starters from the beginning of the season, regardless of whether Orlando Hernandez is ready from the get-go."

Um, why? The team doesn't need a 5th starter until April 12, so why would you carry one? This would open a spot for a tandem of Duaner Sanchez and Steven Register to break with the team. This would give Duaner more time to work into going back-to-back days and possibly showcase Register to other teams, if he doesn't stick.

El Duque and Mike Pelfrey are slated to split the game on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

If it was up to me, I wouldn't take a 5th starter, see how those two pitch in simulated games in minor league camp, and make your decision from there.

Game Recap: Mets 7 -- Orioles 0

The Mets got another dominant outing from their starting pitcher, as Johan Santana was dominant through 6 innings as the Mets cruised to a 7-0 win over the Orioles.

Santana allowed only 5 hits while striking out seven and walking one. Santana was very balanced, getting 5 ground outs to his 5 fly outs. Santana got up to 91 mph from what I saw, though he probably got up over that at some point.

Absolutely great outing from Johan. Can't ask for much more than that.

Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman combined for the 7th inning, neither allowing a hit while each picked up a strikeout. Duaner Sanchez pitched for the first time since Monday, allowing only one hit. Billy Wagner finished out the game, tallying one strikeout in his one inning of work.

That's what a bullpen is supposed to do, and if Sanchez doesn't break camp with the team, he will be with them soon, and we will see performances like this from the Mets bullpen. Sanchez just needs to be able to come back tomorrow and pitch pain free.

Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo each picked up two hits tonight, going 2-3. Reyes also scored once and drove in one run. Fernando Tatis, who subbed in for Castillo late in the game, hit a run scoring RBI triple in the 8th inning. Tatis drove home two.

Good stuff from the top of the order, and especially good from Tatis. I think he'll see some time with the team during the season.

Gustavo Molina threw hit catchers mask into the mix in the Mets need someone come opening day, hitting a 2-run double in the 8th inning, and scored once as well. Santana also went 1-1, with a walk and run scored. Santana knocked a double in the second, and scored on a single from Reyes. The Mets also got an RBI from Carlos Beltran and runs scored from Brady Clark and Anderson Hernandez.

Way to help himself with the bat, while setting people down left and right.

Game ball: Santana, without a doubt.

Saenz sent down to minor league camp

According to John Delcos, Olmedo Saenz has been sent down to the minor league camp.

I have no comment. The Mets won't miss him.

Live Game Commentary: Orioles at Mets

This is a decaf version of the usual live game thread...

First inning:

• 3 pitches, 2 outs for Johan Santana. I like what I see.
• A strikeout to end the inning on a ball practically in the dirt. Thats a hot start. I saw him dial it up to 90, but may have missed if anything went higher.

• Jose Reyes did it again. He hit a chopping ball down the first base line, and thinking the ball might go foul, just stood in the batters box, waiting. Luckily the ball got by, and into the O's bullpen, as Reyes jogged to second. He needs to run first and ask questions later.
• Luis Castillo is trying very hard to lay down a bunt to move Reyes to third, but keeps fouling it off. He eventually slaps one to third, and Aubrey Huff dropped the throw, while Reyes moves to third. 1st and 3rd, no out.
• Shallow pop up to right by David Wright, too close for Reyes to try and sprint home.
• Carlos Beltran pulls a 3-1 ball under the diving glove of Huff, Reyes comes home. Beltran is looking pretty healthy and comfortable (knock on wood).
• Wild pitch allows the runners to advance, with Carlos Delgado at the plate. 3-0 count on him. And he walks to load the bases with 1 out...
• For Ryan Church. Who promptly grounds into an inning ending double play on his first pitch.

Second inning:

• Man, Santana is smoking tonight. I didn't even see the first out. Again.
• 3-1 count, and a can of corn to right field for the second out.
• And there goes the no hitter, as Santana gives up a single. Still, I think so far, of all nights, Santana has his best stuff tonight. He's pumping his fastball in there, that last one got up to 91 mph.
• The changeup is also spot on tonight, as he gets it down to 77 mph for the strikeout to end the inning. So sweet.

• I've come to notice that Pedro Martinez enjoys wearing polo shirts on his off days.
• Here comes Robinson Cancel who might break north with the team if one, or both, of the catchers isn't healthy enough to go. He pops out for the first out of the inning.
• Endy Chavez quickly grounds out.
• Johan quickly 0-2, rips a double into the gap. I freakin' love this guy.
• Reyes serves one over to right over the second baseman's head. Santana comes around to score, the throw is cutoff on the infield, and they gun down Reyes trying to stretch it to a double.

Third inning:

• Pizza break. 2 outs, one on. Santana walked him.
• Santana gives up a double to left, and Chavez shows off his arm, again, and almost guns down the runner at second. 2nd and 3rd, 2 away.
• He somehow got out of it while I was throwing away my pizza.

• Castillo bounces out the the pitcher for the first out. I know how many people hate that swing of his, but he knows what to do and gets the job done.
• College basketball is drawing my attention away, sorry! Wright is on first with one out.
• Beltran seems to un-plant his feet when he swings more this year, a la Shawn Green. He pops out of his stance when he makes contact, just something to watch as he strikes out swinging.
• Delgado grounds up the middle, as they do not put on the shift, and Wright goes 1st to 3rd on the single.
• On a full count, with the chance to drive in a run, Church pops out to center field. I really want to like him, and trust him, but he needs to start putting up numbers. I know he's coming off a rough hit and just had a new baby, but when the season rolls along, he better not make any excuses.

Fourth inning:

• First pitch leadoff single against Santana.
• Ex-Met Jay Payton is up, and swings mightily at a 78 mph change to no avail. He looks even worse on the second pitch, trying to check his swing on a ball that's in the dirt. He serves one to Wright, who's throw to second is well the the left of the bag, and Castillo's only play is to make the grab and out at second base.
• A single ripped to right, which Church cuts off nicely and gets a strong throw in, but Payton is already standing at third. 1st and 3rd, 1 away.
• Santana is a little wild tonight. A little odd.
• A ball high and inside gets Cancel off his feet early, as he makes a beautiful throw to the right of the bag to get the runner attempting to steal.
• Santana gets a K to end the inning.

• Nice play by the pitcher (sorry, I'm not listening to the game. NCAA BBall, you know) to get Cancel at first, one away.
• Again, he knocks down a comebacker to get Endy for the second out.
• Santana has worked the count full. He takes some pretty strong swings, please don't hurt yourself. Santana walks. Bat him 4th, I say!!
• Back-to-back walks spell the end of the day for the O's pitcher.
• Castillo serves a single into center, the bases are loaded.
• Wright hits one off the end of his bat, right to the second baseman. Inning over. The Mets have has the bases loaded, twice, and no runs to show from that situation.

Fifth inning:

• First base apparently does not want to play along, and is just sitting next to the hole, so we're waiting on that.
  
• I'm getting too into this Duke / Belmont game, there are 2 away in the inning.
• The inning ended, apparently.

• This will be the last inning for the live blog, I'll be back later with a recap

• Another ball ripped right to the second baseman. Beltran is retired.
• Delgado grounds out to second. 2 away quick.
• Church does not look good. He strikes out looking at a curve ball.

See you on the flipside with a recap!

Lineup vs. the Orioles

A lot of work going on behind the scenes for something new...stay tuned for details...

Lineup for the O's:

SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
C Robinson Cancel
LF Endy Chavez
LH Johan Santana

Brian Schneider misses another game behind the plate. This is not looking good for opening day, that's for sure.

Emergency catcher in an unlikely person

Joe, over at Mets Today, tips us off to a possible emergency catcher, if need be.

From Mets Today:

Not sure if anyone else “caught” this tidbit during the SNY broadcast of last night’s spring training game, but the Mets have an emergency catcher.

Brady Clark.

Clark claims to have been the “emergency catcher” while with the Cincinnati Reds — which was six years ago. He’s never appeared in a Major League game behind the plate, and to my knowledge has never caught a professional inning.

Clark has already offered to pick up a first baseman's glove and take reps at first, now he claims he can catch, and can play in left and right field.

He's shown hustle this spring, and he's the best type of player, one that will go all out at all times for the team.