Bullpen session for Santana

Johan Santana will test his sore arm for the first time today, as he will take the mound at around 10:15 a.m.

Under the watch of many pairs of eyes, Santana will be as cautious as possible. If there is even a hint of pain, I'm sure he will be promptly shut down.

The big news yesterday was that Santana's opening day start was in jeopardy. I think a lot of people got caught up in the fact that he was hurt and it may have gotten blown out of the water. I'm not saying everything is peachy right now, but let the man slowly work back until he is comfortable. Let him get a few sessions under his belt, and then we'll see how it goes.

Prof. Reyes is back

Amazing news. Jose Reyes will return as Professor Reyes, back from it's one year sabbatical. Here are a few videos I found on YouTube.




Amazing.

More on the triceps tendon

Via MensHealth.com:

What is the triceps muscle?

The triceps muscle is the one at the back of the upper arm - as shown opposite. It inserts into the back of the elbow. If you fall onto your hands you can rupture this tendon. If you over-do the weights or try to push something too heavy you can also rupture the tendon or it could become inflammed through over use.

Symptoms include:

* Pain at the tip of the elbow.
* Pain at this point when you try to straighten the arm against resistance e.g. pushing something heavy.

What can the athlete do?

* Rest. Ice the injury in the first two days.
* See a sports injury professional for advice on treatment and rehabilitation.

What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?

* Use ultrasound or laser treatment.
* X-ray the elbow.
* Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication.
* Prescribe a full rehabilitation program.

This has nothing to do with Tommy John Surgery, as that effects the ligament in your upper arm, not the tendon.

I think this makes me breath a little easier.

Johan Santana out indefinitely

Things are going from bad to worse with Johan Santana.

First, it was just a sore elbow, likely from throwing for the first time in months. Expected to miss only one start. Then it was two starts. Now, Santana is sidelined indefinitely.

Via Amazin' Stories:

“We have 162 games for what we want to accomplish,” Santana said, the day after his expected spring training debut was cancelled. “Everything starts April 6. Whether it’s going to be me or anyone else, it’s tough to say right now.”

Santana met with manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya early Saturday morning and said the decision to be supremely cautious with his pitching arm is unanimous.

“I’d rather take my time,” he said. “I haven’t even faced any live hitters.”

The article goes on to explain that Santana is still slated for a bullpen session on Sunday and would like to get two or three under his belt before facing live batters.

Take your time.

Via David Lennon:

As for the worst-case scenario, Santana throws on Sunday, still feels the elbow and the Mets finally decide to send him back to New York for tests. Santana said minutes ago that the elbow still is tight -- he's been told it's the triceps tendon behind the elbow -- and he is considering the possibility that Opening Day might now be questionable for him.

I had that gut feeling when Santana missed his first "start" but I thought nothing of it. Things aren't exactly grim, but any time the ace of the staff is "out indefinitely" you start to worry.

I believe now is the time to worry.

Santana bumped again

Johan Santana will not make his Tuesday start, either, due to his sore elbow.

No news is good news, and this is definitely bad news. This is starting to feel as if the Mets know more than they are letting on.

The State of the Mets -- 2/27/09

Here is the seventh edition of The State of the Mets, albeit very late.

Topics covered: spring training, Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes and Johan Santana's elbow.

Enjoy.

Mets sign (puke) Ron Villone

According to Adam Rubin, the Mets have signed lefthanded reliever Ron Villone to a minor league deal.

Seriously?

Live Blog: STL vs. NYM

Second home game, second live blog. Join me at 1 p.m. to discuss the Mets as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the third (fourth if you count Italy) spring training game of 2009.

Chat away!

Adam Eaton out of Philly

The 700 Level is relaying info that the Philadelphia Phillies have released Adam Eaton.

Eaton is a career 5-1 against the Mets, with two wins coming with the Phillies in 2007.

There's another level for Jose Reyes?

Via David Lennon:

"We really think Jose [Reyes] is ready to really take it to another level," [Jerry] Manuel said. "We really feel good about where he is in his career, the maturation process. We feel very, very confident that there are a lot of things that he still could do as a player. He could be a third hitter, like I told you all he was. I really believe that he's ready to take off."

I can't even imagine "another level" for Reyes.

He's already one of the most exciting players in the league. He's supremely talented at the plate, in the field and on the base paths. But Manuel is right -- he probably hasn't even hit his prime yet -- and that makes me extremely happy.