Photo of the Day: Castillo

Luis Castillo made a diving grab and threw out Luis Gonzalez from the seat of his pants in today's game against the Marlins.
His knees are looking better, just like Carlos Beltran, and with both of them healthy, I think the Mets can expect big things from them this season.

(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Game Recap: Marlins 7 -- Mets 5

The Mets got another strong start from a substitute young pitcher, but late inning relief gave up quite a few runs, as the Mets dropped today's final spring home game by a score of 7-5.

Bobby Parnell pitched 5 innings of scoreless baseball while taking the place of Pedro Martinez. Parnell gave up 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 while on the mound.

Good stuff from him. The last two starts, with Jon Niese and Parnell, is a nice glimpse to the future for the Mets staff.

Joe Smith and Nelson Figueroa, both competing for spots on the 25-man roster, suffered major setbacks, each allowing 3 runs in their respective innings. Figueroa gave up a 3-run home run to Jorge Cantu and Smith gave up a 2-run blast to Mike Jacobs.

Ouch. Just when we all thought they could be locks for the team with their good performances, they come out and give up 6 runs between them.

Duaner Sanchez pitched for the first time in days, allowing one run on 2 hits. Aaron Heilman finished out the game, pitching a hitless inning and giving up 1 walk.

I'm not expecting Sanchez to break with the team from camp, not with performances like this. He just needs to take his time and get healthy.

Jose Reyes went 1-3 on the day, walking once. Reyes knocked a double, driving in one run. Luis Castillo walked 3 times in the game. David Wright drove in 2 runs, with an RBI double in the third inning.

Does Wright belong in the 3-hole or is he better suited batting 4th or 5th?

Carlos Delgado picked up 2 RBI, going 2-5 on the day. Delgado also struck out twice.

He's been working the opposite field a lot, and it's going to pay dividends during the season.

Game Ball: Parnell. See you in Citi Field in a few years.

Gotay still not on waivers

If a player is placed on waivers, like Steven Register, that player is not allowed to participate in any team practices or games.

Ruben Gotay hit against Pedro Martinez in today's minor league game, which would mean as of then, he had still not been placed on waivers.

Since the game, Gotay could have been placed on waivers, as reported on SNY, but no one is sure.

Gotay is in limbo.

Omar in the booth

From what I can hear of Omar Minaya in the SNY booth, I believe he just said that Mike Pelfrey will start the season in the minors.

I don't think they will take El Duque if he is under 100 percent, so Nelson Figueroa, who Minaya said has had a great spring so far, and they're looking at him, is the top guy for the 5th spot as of now.

I think.

Lineup vs. the Marlins

The Mets will welcome the Florida Marlins to Tradition Field for the final home game of spring training, a 1:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
DH Marlon Anderson
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
RF Endy Chavez
RH Robert Parnell

The Mets are playing it smart, as Ramon Castro is probably heading to the DL, so they're keeping his backup, Raul Casanova out of the game and hopefully healthy.

Pedro Martinez pitched in a minor league game, instead of making his start for the Mets, with Brian Schneider catching him earlier today.

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.