Jose Reyes pulled from extended spring training game; Martinez needs surgery [Updated]

Jose Reyes, whom the Mets expected back on Friday, was pulled from his extended spring training game today.  He will fly to New York City to see team doctors to re-evaluate his calf injury.

Update – 5:30 p.m.: Jerry Manuel was just on WFAN and said Reyes could return Tuesday if all goes well.  I wouldn’t hold my breath, Mets fans.  Not much has been going well in the injury department as of late.

Oh, you thought the Mets were just getting good injury news today with their star players?  Ha!

Reyes, who hurt his calf nearly two weeks ago, stayed on the roster as he tried to recover from the injury on his own time.  The Mets opted to put him on the DL and were ready to welcome him back on Friday.

Alex Cora and Wilson Valdez will likely continue to split time at shortstop.

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Meanwhile, in other shortstop news, Bart Hubbuch just tweeted that Ramon Martinez will need surgery on his dislocated pinky and will be out at least six weeks.

I’d be scared if I was anywhere near the Mets team right now.  Cover yourself in bubble wrap or something.

Lineup for game three in Pitt

With Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora returning, the Mets have some fairly familiar faces back in the lineup.  Here’s who will face righty Ross Ohlendorf…

1. Alex Cora – SS
2. Luis Castillo – 2B
3. Carlos Beltran – CF
4. Gary Sheffield – RF
5. David Wright – 3B
6. Daniel Murphy – 1B
7. Fernando Martinez – LF
8. Omir Santos – C
9. Mike Pelfrey – RHP

Beltran back, Brown up

Originally, Carlos Beltran was out of the lineup tonight against Pittsburgh.  He has since arrived at the stadium and has declared himself ready to play.  Beltran will bat third in the order.

Emil Brown, recently acquired from the San Diego Padres, has been promoted reports Adam Rubin.  Brown will take the place of Ramon Martinez on the roster, who will head to the DL after dislocating his pinky in last night’s game.

Mets do not have swine flu

According to the Center for Disease Control, here are some symptoms of the H1N1 “swine flu”:

The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.  Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Thankfully, it seems, the Mets players (Carlos Beltran and John Maine) don’t seem to have the swine flu.

An SNY producer has been sent home, via car, after becoming ill en route to Pittsburgh.  He’s being tested for the swine flu virus, but results won’t be back until later this week.

Here’s an update from Jon Heyman:

Mets officials say neither Maine nor Beltran has a fever, which can be associated with swine flu. While a fever does not always accompany swine flu, according to a report last month in the New York Times, Mets people say their doctors told them that neither Maine nor Beltran has swine flu.

I wouldn’t be worried, Mets fans.

Brad Holt promoted to Double-A Binghamton

Brad Holt was drafted 33rd overall by the New York Mets last season.  Today, just days away from this years amateur draft, Holt has been promoted to Double-A Binghamton.

Holt is 9-4 in 22 career professional starts.  In 2009, he’s 4-1 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.049 WHIP with Advanced-A St. Lucie.

According to Adam Rubin, Mets officials say Holt is on a similar path that Mike Pelfrey took to the major leagues.  Hopefully he doesn’t take as many lumps once he makes it to the MLB level.

Holt makes his first start for Binghamton on Friday.

Weather in Pittsburgh

Doesn’t look too promising.  They might be able to get the game in between pockets of rain, but don’t expect Mike Pelfrey to last long if there are a lot of rain delays.

All considered, it might not be the worst thing in the world for the Mets to get a day off to heal.

Paul McCartney to play first concert at Citi Field

The Mets like to keep with tradition…when it comes to concerts.

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 3, 2009 - Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul McCartney will perform the historic first concerts at Citi Field - the new home of the Mets - Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18.

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 15 at 10:00 A.M. ET online exclusively at www.507TIXX.com and by phone at 718-507-TIXX. These shows will be held rain or shine.

These inaugural concert events at Citi Field mark the latest in a series of landmark performances that link the beloved Beatle with New York City and the home of the Mets. Beginning with The Beatles' legendary musical christening of Shea Stadium in 1965, and continuing with McCartney's special appearance at Billy Joel's "Last Play at Shea" show that closed the stadium last year, McCartney's summer shows at Citi Field will once again mark a momentous occasion in the history of New York - and rock n' roll itself.

"I am really excited about playing Citi Field - The Beatles were the first to play at Shea Stadium and along with Billy Joel I was the last to sing at the old Shea," said Paul McCartney. "So to be the first to play this ballpark is incredible. I am really looking forward to a buzzing show."

"Every time Paul McCartney steps on a stage is a special event because of the timelessness of the music and the enthusiasm and verve that this icon gives to each performance," said Randy Phillips, President & CEO of AEG Live. "Christening Citi Field as a venue will give this concert the added weight of the historical significance of The Beatles appearance at Shea Stadium 44 years ago."

"There's no more appropriate artist in the history of rock and roll to play the first concert at Citi Field," said Jeff Wilpon, COO, New York Mets. "The era of big-time rock and roll concerts started with Paul and The Beatles at Shea and we're thrilled to continue that tradition at our new home."

Twitter Poll: Who is the next Met to get injured and how?

With Ramon Martinez dislocating his pinky, the Mets have now lost a backup to a backup.  The rash of injuries are mounting as more and more players get attacked by the injury (or intestinal) bug.

The Mets seem to be finding new ways to get hurt.  Last night, I asked my Twitter followers to take a guess on who would get hurt next, and how it would happen.

Here are their responses…

Unspecified

palmnut said: next somebody'll go down with the Sosa sneeze...

bluewolf13 said: Somebody will have ovary pains

metschick said: The entire team contracts the ebola virus and drops dead.

MissBethAnn said: Are there any left to get injured?

Players

jamiekrycek said: beltr- um, no... delg- hm, no... pagan wil- no, wait, reye- no, hm, chur- no, um- ok i got it: sheff breaks hip!

metgirl4ever said: Kavid - splinter in tongue [ed. note: Kavid = David Wright.]

V_RB said: David Wright will go on the DL with a splinter in his tongue.

maggie162 said: Wright breaks his ankle during a wacky victory dance when he finally hits again.

Mets_Fever said: - Well DW is trying unsuccessfully to carry this team and I think he had back spasms in 06 - so i think his back is next

darknova306 said: I'll be the d*ck to finally suggest it... I fully expect Santana to have arm issues at some point. He's the next one on DL.

kerelcoop said: Luis Castillo. Afterall he's the one Met we all expected to be on the DL by now anyway..

Coaches / Front Office

NYMetsGrrl94 said: Sandy Alomar Sr. with hand cramps from too much lineup switching

bc5000 said: Jerry Manuel sprains wrist after having to rewrite lineup card 50 times

pattigibbons said: Razor Shines, rotator cuff tendonitis from waving guys home when he means "stop".

Retire31 said: Jay Horowitz.

samtpage said: Jerry Manuel tripping over Brian Stokes' cage.

Ex-Mets

letsgoduke said: mo vaughn, finally collapsing in on himself like a dying star. #bigbeautifulwhale

The dmoneymania Collection

dmoneymania said: Pedro Feliciano ... torn ACL... mud wrestling

dmoneymania said: David Wright... herpes

dmoneymania said: JJ Putz ... floating elbow chips... excessive air guitaring

dmoneymania said: Gary Sheffield... Someone finds out his body was taken over by Jacob's enemy

dmoneymania said: The entire bullpen explodes via a Frankie Fist Pump of Doom!

dmoneymania said: Sean Green... something with a bad A.C.M.E. product and the Road Runner

dmoneymania said: Bobby Parnell will miss 2-4 weeks after being hit by the Stone Cold Stunner

dmoneymania said: Brian Schneider and Omir Santos will pull their groins playing Twister

My favorite: samtpage said: Jerry Manuel tripping over Brian Stokes' cage.

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to toss who will be the next to go down.

Follow me on Twitter (@TheRopolitans) to
participate in the next Twitter Poll!

Manuel’s Musing for June 2

“We lose a backup to a backup, and you know we're getting pretty thin.”

-Jerry Manuel on Ramon Martinez going
down with a dislocated pinky.

Game Recap: Pirates 3 – Mets 1

Another wasted Johan Santana start.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (24-28) beat the New York Mets (28-23) by a score of 3-1.

Santana “struggled” again.  He allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings.  He walked one and struck out three.  Santana let up a solo home run to Jason Jaramillo in the fifth inning.  In the sixth, Santana let up four hits, including back-to-back RBI doubles, both down the right field line.

Sean Green, Ken Takahashi and Brian Stokes finished out the game with scoreless efforts.

The Mets were able to muster only one run off of Zach Duke and the Pirates bullpen.  Duke pitched seven strong inning, with the only run scoring on a Luis Castillo sacrifice fly.  The sac-fly score Ramon Martinez, who dislocated his finger sliding into home.