Injury Updates
So much for his knees feeling great … Luis Castillo was removed from the game in the fifth inning and replaced by Damion Easley because his knee felt “sore”. Swell.
Matt Wise was placed on the 15-day DL with an elbow contusion, and was replaced on the roster by Carlos Muniz. Strange move. As astute and loyal MetsToday reader “isuzudude” pointed out, a much better option, particularly with the 3-game series against the Phillies, would have been veteran LHP Ricardo Rincon.
We know that Willie Randolph will not use Carlos Muniz in any important situation … behind by three in the ninth inning vs. the Phillies was about the most critical spot Muniz will see. On the other hand, Willie would be quick to use a veteran such as Rincon, and Rincon’s lefthandedness would be especially useful against the lefty-heavy Philly lineup.
The thinking, we guess, is that the Mets preferred Muniz because he was already on the 40-man roster (and has options) while Rincon is not. However, the Mets currently have only 37 players on the 40-man, with at least one of them (Ambiorix Burgos) soon to be moved to the 60-day DL and therefore not counting against the 40 spots.
The only thing that makes sense to me is that the move has something to do with the options rules (which I still don’t understand). Perhaps if Rincon is brought up, he’d have to pass through waivers before being sent down again?
However, none of this should matter if indeed there is a problem with Pedro Feliciano, as the SNY broadcast team guessed and the rest of us wonder after watching Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman get roughed up by Phillies. But then, perhaps Rincon has some kind of injury as well.
**** UPDATE *****
Pedro Feliciano was unavailable because he arrived to the ballpark late. According to Adam Rubin, Feliciano was returning from Puerto Rico:
Pedro Feliciano was unavailable because he arrived at the ballpark in the seventh inning. Feliciano had permission from the Mets to go home to Puerto Rico for a family issue after Sunday’s game in Atlanta. His 6 a.m. flight from San Juan to JFK was cancelled, and he had to be re-routed through Orlando. Mets security picked him up at the airport, but couldn’t get him to the ballpark in time to contribute.
In the same post by Rubin, he tells us that Orlando Hernandez had something of a setback in his recovery and was in NYC for an MRI. Lovely.
Hat tip to isuzudude for the link.
Jimmy Rollins left Tuesday’s game with a sprained ankle. We’ll hope he’s out until the weekend.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2008/04/feliciano-arrives-late-castill.html
What does that mean?
It all balances out, people. We’ll be fine. Things will come around. We might not win more than 91 games, but that will probably be enough to win the division.
a). I dont want to rush Sanchez. obviously arm strength is the issue and worst case is he is rushed and Willie over uses him. I’d like to see what Muniz can do first.
b). The next issue is castillo and his knees: We need that infielder (already) to cover Castillo. Ahern or Argennis Reyes could be appropriate. Additionally that could create an oppurtunity to see Pagan hit 2nd.
Joe, as a request, if Vargas is indeed signed, would you mind contacting a member of the Milwaukee blogosphere and asking them their opinion on Vargas? It may be good timing, too, as the Brewers are due at Shea to play the Mets this weekend, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Thanks in advance!