3/22/09

Tom Martin released

The Mets have released Tom Martin, along with his broken wrist and mounted hog head.

Martin, a left handed reliever likely bound for Buffalo, fell down a flight of stairs at his rented home in Florida, breaking his wrist 10 days ago.

For lack of a better phrase, this is a "tough break" for Martin.

3/21/09

Alexi Panos taking over for Julie Alexandria; Mets Weekly debuts today

We're just about five minutes into the debut of Mets Weekly with new host Julie Alexandria of Beer Money fame. Good luck to Julie in her new endeavor. As a Mets fan, I'm sure she'll do very well on the show.

So...who's going to be taking over for Julie? Neil Best rumors that it will be Alexi Panos. Panos looks so much like Alexandria, she might just be her sister. I guess someone at SNY has a "type."

Livan Hernandez and Steve Somers: A match made in heaven

Thanks to Jeremy for this link.

If you are in need of a chuckle, go listen to Steve Somers chat with likely fifth starter Livan Hernandez.

Listen for the insertion of random syllables and grumbles on Livan's part. It made me laugh.

3/20/09

Game Recap: Mets 4 -- Orioles 0

Five pitchers combined to shut out the Baltimore Orioles on their spring training turf today, as the Mets cruised to a 4-0 victory.
On The Mound
Oliver Perez made his first start of the spring, pitching only three innings. He allowed only one hit, a double, and walked two batters.

A good, quick showing for Perez, who will be dialed back after throwing 85 pitches in his last World Baseball Classic appearance.

Bobby Parnell followed Perez, going 2 2-3 innings and scattering five hits. Parnell struck out two. Darren O'Day was next in line and allowed one walk and one strikeout in 1 1-3 innings.

Parnell is still around while Jon Niese heads to the minor league because Parnell still has a chance to stick in the bullpen. It's an outside shot, but a shot just the same.

Brian Stokes and Elmer Dessens each allowed one hit in their inning of work.
At The Plate
Daniel Murphy continued his hot spring, going 2-4, with a triple. He drove in two RBIs and scored one run.

I can't wait to see him get a full season under his belt.

Ike Davis also picked up two hits, including a double, in his first spring training action. He drove in one run.

Nice to see from the young guy.

Alex Cora picked up the Mets other RBI.
On Deck
The Mets will travel to Orlando to take on the Atlanta Braves in a 1 p.m. game on Saturday. The game is not on TV.

The State of the Mets -- 3/20/09

Here is the 10th edition of The State of the Mets.

Covering: Livan Hernandez, Nick Evans and someone that might fit into the bullpen for the Mets.

Enjoy.

Jon Niese reassigned to minor league camp; Livan all but locks up fifth starter

Announcing the New York Mets fifth starter: Livan Hernandez!

That's the message the Mets are sending today, as young gun Jon Niese has been sent to minor league camp.

Hernandez all but tied up the spot on the team on Wednesday with five smooth innings, allowing only one run. Niese was Hernandez's closest compeition, especially since Freddy Garcia is a shell of his former self.

Interesting move. I figured this would play out a little longer than it did.

Interesting things going on today

A few things to pay attention to as you watch today's spring training game read about it later.

Oliver Perez
Perez is making his first Grapefruit League appearance today again the Orioles after returning from the World Baseball Classic. Perez struggled through the WBC, going 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in 6.2 innings. Perez also expressed that he was feeling "fatigued" after the performance.

Jerry Manuel said he would "dial-back" Perez during spring training action. Expect only a few innings out of Perez today.

Nick Evans
Evans will start in right field today as the Mets try and find a position for the young righty. He leads the team in spring training at bats, likely due to the WBC. Evans is a young guy that should be getting regular playing time, so a bench position may not be what the Mets want for him. Wrestiling away a starting job may be his only chance at making the Opening Day roster, but I don't see that happening.

Ike Davis
The Mets picked Davis 18th overall in the 2008 draft, and he will be starting at first base today.

Adam Rubin posted the write up he completed on Davis on draft day:

Davis, unlike his father a lefty thrower and hitter, pitched his freshman year, then played right field his sophomore year and first base as a junior. He is hitting .394 with 16 homers and 73 RBI in 49 games for ASU, entering a matchup with Fresno State this weekend for a berth in the College World Series.

"I've played first longer, so I'm probably a lot better at that," he said.

Too bad this game isn't on TV.

Baseball Digest: Mets should consider Gobble

3/19/09

Game Recap: Mets 12 -- Astros 1

Nineteen straight games without a win for the Astros. As Gary Cohen noted, "that's something that would get a manager fired in the regular season."
On The Mound
The Mets jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, anchored by a beautiful performance from Mike Pelfrey. Six innings, three hits and only one run. He walked only one and struck out three.

Pelfrey just looked spectacular out there. If he can stay healthy this year, I'm very excited to see what he can do while on the bump.

New addition Fernando Nieve, who the Mets picked up off waivers recently, pitched a scoreless inning against his former team, allowing two hits. Carlos Muniz pitched the 8th inning, striking out one. Sean Green finished out the game for the Mets, retiring the side in order.

At The Plate
Nick Evans continues to shine in his team-leading appearances at the plate. At first base for the second straight game, Evans went 3-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Two doubles and a home run for Evans, he seems to be responding to me calling him out for not showing a lot of power.

The more I see of Evans, the more I'm impressed. Still, he just doesn't have a spot on the major league roster.

Jose Reyes also had a huge day leading off, driving in four runs with two doubles.

Batting first in the order, just like he will come the regular season.

Fernando Tatis also picked up two RBIs on the day. Ramon Castro and Andy Green also picked up one each.

On Deck
The Mets will travel and take on the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow at 1 p.m. The game is not on TV.

Live Blog: HOU @ NYM

Another day, another spring training game, another live blog.

Live blog complete.