Angel Pagan will be losing ground for the backup outfield position, as he will head back to New York City to have an MRI on his right elbow.
Pagan has been sidelined with swelling in his elbow and may be out for an extended period of time with the issue and subsequent travel.
Again, where the heck are all the MRI machines in Florida? Oh, there are only 428 results that come up when you search "MRI, port st. lucie" in Google.
Anyway, I think this knocks him out of roster spot contention. This gives a pretty nice lead to Jeremy Reed.
3/7/09
Fulfilling my Sidney Ponson post obligation
I believe it's written somewhere that if you write about baseball, and you travel to Aruba, you must write something about Sidney Ponson. Thankfully, there is some news about him that does not involve punching a judge or shutting down the New York Mets.
Ponson, through all his hardships, is apparently still "worshiped" in Aruba. According to my parents, who have been here five times previous, there is an entire wall dedicated to him in the Champions sports bar. I will make it my mission to capture photographic evidence.
Born in Noord, Aruba, Ponson is able to pitch for the Netherlands team because of the lineage of the island.
Ponson, starting for the Netherlands against the heavily-favored Dominican Republic team on Saturday, threw four innings, allowing five hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out one.
Thanks to three runs off of Edison Volquez in the first inning and strong relief help, the Netherlands were able to upset the Dominican team for their first win in the 2008 World Baseball Classic.
I will try my best to find this mini-shrine to Ponson.
Ponson, through all his hardships, is apparently still "worshiped" in Aruba. According to my parents, who have been here five times previous, there is an entire wall dedicated to him in the Champions sports bar. I will make it my mission to capture photographic evidence.
Born in Noord, Aruba, Ponson is able to pitch for the Netherlands team because of the lineage of the island.
Ponson, starting for the Netherlands against the heavily-favored Dominican Republic team on Saturday, threw four innings, allowing five hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out one.
Thanks to three runs off of Edison Volquez in the first inning and strong relief help, the Netherlands were able to upset the Dominican team for their first win in the 2008 World Baseball Classic.
I will try my best to find this mini-shrine to Ponson.
One up, one down
Two steps forward, one step back for the Mets rotation today.
Johan Santana finally faced live batters, throwing 36 pitches. Twenty-two of the 36 went for strikes and his changeup was "especially sharp" according to David Lennon.
Adam Rubin relays this quote:
Johan Santana finally faced live batters, throwing 36 pitches. Twenty-two of the 36 went for strikes and his changeup was "especially sharp" according to David Lennon.
Adam Rubin relays this quote:
"I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be ready for it," Santana said about Opening Day.
Sounds good, but the Mets shouldn't let Santana call the shots. First of all, he should be tested for whatever may be ailing him, not matter what. Good to see and hear, though.
But it wasn't all good news for the Mets. Mike Pelfrey has been shut down indefinitely due to a muscle strain in his leg.
Hopefully it's nothing and he can bounce back soon enough.
The State of the Mets -- 3/7/09
As you're reading this, I'm likely flying over your heads on my way to Aruba, but I prepared my weekly State of the Mets in advance.
Topics covered: Luis Castillo, Fernando Tatis and the race for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Enjoy.
Topics covered: Luis Castillo, Fernando Tatis and the race for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Enjoy.
3/6/09
It begins with Castillo
Adam Rubin again, this time with an completely un-shocking update after the Mets beat the Cardinals 5-4 in Jupiter.
OK. I see no one raised their hands. I'm not surprised either.
Is this the beginning of the end? Or has the end already come?
Luis Castilo had to leave the game as a precaution. He had his left hamstring wrapped after the game and indicated he'd be fine. “With these surfaces down here, they’re a little hard and guys tend to tighten up a little bit,” Jerry Manuel said. “We’re just being extra careful.”Everyone that is surprised, please raise your hand...
OK. I see no one raised their hands. I'm not surprised either.
Is this the beginning of the end? Or has the end already come?
Seven sent down
According to Adam Rubin, seven young Mets were sent down to minor league camp.
A few of these guys are the future of the Mets, so don't be surprised if they're sticking in camp for a bit longer next year and the year after.
Fernando Martinez, Jose Coronado, Mike Antonini, Michel Abreu, Tobi Stoner, Adam Bostick and Dillon GeeMartinez isn't even allowed to play in the field, so it was no shock there. I am surprised the team sent Coronado down, especially with all the players at the World Baseball Classic.
A few of these guys are the future of the Mets, so don't be surprised if they're sticking in camp for a bit longer next year and the year after.
On the road
I'm hitting the road as it is officially spring break for me. Heading back to New Jersey and then off to warm, tropical Aruba. I'll still be posting, of course, it will just be more sparse. Also, The State of the Mets is being held back until tomorrow, when I know I won't be on a computer for a while.
I'll leave you with links to two articles I wrote for Baseball Digest's new site. Please go check it out!
Enjoy and Let's go Mets!
I'll leave you with links to two articles I wrote for Baseball Digest's new site. Please go check it out!
Enjoy and Let's go Mets!
Lineup for the Cardinals game
The Mets are at Roger Dean Stadium to take on the St. Louis Cardinals. Here is the lineup:
Luis Castillo -- 2B
Jose Valentin -- 3B
Daniel Murphy -- LF
Bobby Kielty -- DH
Angel Pagan -- CF
Michel Abreu -- CF
Jeremy Reed -- RF
Brian Schneider -- C
Reese Havens -- SS
Jon Niese -- LHP
Havens was the Mets first-round draft pick in the 2008 draft. This was posted on Havens when he was drafted:
Luis Castillo -- 2B
Jose Valentin -- 3B
Daniel Murphy -- LF
Bobby Kielty -- DH
Angel Pagan -- CF
Michel Abreu -- CF
Jeremy Reed -- RF
Brian Schneider -- C
Reese Havens -- SS
Jon Niese -- LHP
Havens was the Mets first-round draft pick in the 2008 draft. This was posted on Havens when he was drafted:
A legitimate prospect in high school, teams were scared off because of a strong commitment to South Carolina. He’s improved steadily in his three years there and has evolved into a good all-around hitter with outstanding plate discpline. He may need to move to third down the road because of his lack of range, but his smarts in the field may at least give him the opportunity to play his way off of short as a pro. At either spot, he’s sure to go off the board pretty quickly.
31 days
In one month, 31 days, the baseball season begins for the New York Mets.
Great American Ballpark. Cincinnati, Ohio. 1:10 p.m. New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds.
Who will be on the mound? Well...we're not too sure yet. But right now, who cares.
I'm ready for real, meaningful baseball. I'm starting to get too excited over spring training wins and losses, even though the games mean diddly squat. I'm ready to break out my broken helmet and begin to get into game-mode.
This will be the longest month ever.
Great American Ballpark. Cincinnati, Ohio. 1:10 p.m. New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds.
Who will be on the mound? Well...we're not too sure yet. But right now, who cares.
I'm ready for real, meaningful baseball. I'm starting to get too excited over spring training wins and losses, even though the games mean diddly squat. I'm ready to break out my broken helmet and begin to get into game-mode.
This will be the longest month ever.
Tatis tabbed for A-Rod's vacated spot
As if the Mets needed another player in the World Baseball Classic...
With Alex Rodriguez on the shelf with a cyst in his hip, the Dominican Republic has looked across town, to Queens, to fill it's empty third baseman position. Fernando Tatis will suit up in the Dominican uniform and play for them in the upcoming WBC.
It must be quite an honor to represent your country, but I'm surprised the Mets granted Tatis permission to go. He did miss the first few spring training games with an injured hand. It either must be healed or a non-issue at this point.
That makes 16 different Mets in the WBC. They will represent eight different countries, with Puerto Rico pulling the most weight with eight players on their roster.
With Alex Rodriguez on the shelf with a cyst in his hip, the Dominican Republic has looked across town, to Queens, to fill it's empty third baseman position. Fernando Tatis will suit up in the Dominican uniform and play for them in the upcoming WBC.
It must be quite an honor to represent your country, but I'm surprised the Mets granted Tatis permission to go. He did miss the first few spring training games with an injured hand. It either must be healed or a non-issue at this point.
That makes 16 different Mets in the WBC. They will represent eight different countries, with Puerto Rico pulling the most weight with eight players on their roster.
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