Ayy! Numero cinco!

The 5th starter spot is still confusing as ever.

The Mets probably can't turn to Orlando Hernandez or Mike Pelfrey, because they're either injured and throwing like a little leaguer or not injured and throwing, well, just poorly.

Jorge Sosa and Nelson Figueroa are the teams best options right now. Joe, my new blogging buddy over at Mets Today, does an excellent breakdown of the rest of the options for the 5th starter role.
Here is the Sosa and Figueroa blurbs:

Jorge Sosa
The slider machine likely is the de facto Mets #5 starter. Who knows, maybe he can recapture the magic that made him virtually unhittable in the first half of 2007.

Nelson Figueroa
Being the type who roots for the underdog, I’m hoping “Figgy” has a lights-out performance in the “Civil Rights Game” and earns a spot in the rotation.

I'd like to see "Figgy" get his chance, while Duque and Pelfrey spend time in minor league camp fine tuning and getting healthy.

Recently released Claudio Vargas should get a look-see from the Mets, as they now realize they might not have enough arms to go a full season.

I wouldn't mind taking him on board, as you can never have enough arms. The team sure has learned that so far.

Castro likely for the DL

According to Adam Rubin, Ramon Castro is likely to start the season on the DL after suffering a setback while running today.

Replacing Castro on the roster will most likely be Raul Casanova. 'Nova hit a solo shot off of Braves starter Tim Hudson today.

I think he'll be a capable backup, a big plus over Mike DiFelice or Sandy Alomar, that's for sure.

Register only one on waivers

Quick update: as reported earlier Steven Register has been placed on waivers.

There were rumors that Ruben Gotay was also placed on waivers, but that has since turned out to be false.

Game Recap: Mets 5 -- Braves 4

The Mets had a substitute starter instead of Johan Santana today, and Jon Niese put together a pretty nice outing, as the Mets won 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Niese went 4 2-3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits. Niese walked 6 batters and struck out 1. He was pitching very well until he hit a wall in the 5th inning. The bases were loaded with none out, and Niese got some key outs to limit the damage.

He looked good, but still raw. Give him a few years, and if he's still with the team, I think he can be a good 3 or 4 starter.

Ivan Maldonado pitched 1 1-3, allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits. Converted catcher Joe Hietpas pitched 1 1-3 of an inning, allowing three hits, but no runs. Ricardo Rincon continued his hot spring, going 1 2-3, allowing only one hit.

Rincon has been really good, but like Steven Register, there's just no room for him in the 'pen.

Carlos Beltran went 1-2, with a double, and scored twice. Both times he scored, there were plays at the plate, and he made the same slide both times, getting around the catcher and swiping the plate with his hand.

He looked excellent running around out there today. His knees seem to be feeling fine, which is amazing news.

Raul Casanova went 1-3, crushing a solo home run into the wind in right field. The ball had to be hit very hard to get out in right, as there was a stiff wind blowing in through the entire game.

Casanova might catch on, and it's looking very likely, as we haven't seen Ramon Castro in a while.

Rafael Arroyo drove in Brady Clark in the bottom of the 9th inning with a hit just fair down the right field line.

The Mets played a bit of small ball this inning, as Clark walked, moved to second on a sac bunt, picked up third on a wild pitch, and came home on Arroyo's hit. Good stuff.

Game Ball: Beltran.

Santana's outing

Johan Santana pitched against minor leaguers and without fielders instead of taking on the Atlanta Braves today.

Santana will make a start against the Braves early in the season, so he was skipped for todays game. He threw 81 pitches against a cast of minor leaguers on the back fields, according to NJ.com.

Jon Niese took his place as a starter, and went 4 2-3, giving up 2 hits and 2 runs. He walked 6 and struck out one.

Nice outing by Niese, who should be very good in a few years. Earlier in the day, I wrote that I can't wait until someone inquires about Niese being the Mets 5th starter, and not minutes later, I received an e-mail asking that exact question.

PSL nickname 2008

As Marty Noble has done for years, he's nicknamed the Mets spring training, all based off of P.S.L.

In 1990, it was Port St. Lockout.
1993 gave up Port St. Lucifer.
'99 was Port St. Legend.
2005, Port St. Latino.

And this year, Noble names it: Port...

I'm not giving it away right here! You have to read the article!

Cashing out

Steven Register, the Rule V draft pick from the Colorado Rockies, has been placed on waivers, according to Adam Rubin.

Register could have stuck around if Duaner Sanchez is unable to go, so this seems like the Mets are more willing to stick with a guy like Joe Smith, who has come on strong lately. Also in contention for spots in the bullpen are Brian Stokes and Nelson Figueroa.

I liked to think Register would have been good, had he gotten a chance. He just didn't seem to fit in the already crowded bullpen, so he's one of the odd men out. I wish we could keep him around in AAA, but he's a Rule V pick, and he'll be heading elsewhere.

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Mets Blog is reporting that Ruben Gotay has also been placed on waivers, but I can't find that being backed up anywhere. Stay tuned.

I'm up, I'm up!

That's right. I've dragged myself out of bed for this.

It was quite the fanfare in Japan for the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A's game.

Dustin Pedroia just led off the season with a single up the middle. What an odd sentence.

As "cool" as this is, the game and everything, why in the world (pun) would an American sport, "America's past time," start it's season at 6 a.m. on the other side of the world? This makes literally no sense to me. The season should have started with the Nationals, in their new park, because they are the Nationals. The Washington Nationals. How much more American can you get?

Well, if anyone else is up, which I doubt, enjoy the game. Here comes Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Mets playing cards close to their chest

Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez will skip their Grapefruit League starts in an effort to keep them from facing the teams they will pitch against during the first week of the season.

In their place, Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell make the starts against the Braves and the Marlins.

Very clever, Willie Randolph, very clever.

I'm just waiting to read something claiming Niese is pitching because he's going to be the 5th starter. I can't wait.

Photo of the Day: Maine

John Maine had one of his best starts, allowing only 1 hit over 6 innings.
The best 4th starter in baseball, ladies and gentlemen.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)