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April 11, 2011 News Notes Rumors Joe Janish

Mets DFA Boyer, Call Up Izzy

After allowing four runs in the eleventh inning to lose on Sunday afternoon, Blaine Boyer was designated for assignment. In his place, the Mets have promoted Jason Isringhausen from extended spring training.

Additionally, Lucas Duda was optioned to Buffalo and Ryota Igarashi was brought up from Buffalo to help the already worn-out bullpen.

Through nine games, Mets starters have provided 3 quality starts, which is dead last in the NL. As a result, the bullpen has been taxed, so fresh arms were summoned to help handle the load.

One of the main culprits causing bullpen burnout so early in the season has been Mike Pelfrey, who starts this evening against the Rockies. Pelfrey has tossed only 6 1/2 innings through two starts — hardly what one would expect from a “#1” starter. Based on what I’ve seen of his mechanics, I’m not betting on Pelfrey going past the fifth tonight, so the new arms will be a welcome and necessary addition to the club.

Shame that Duda had to go down, but he wasn’t hitting; he had 2 hits in 17 at-bats (.118). I guess this means more playing time for Scott Hairston, which isn’t exactly an upgrade at this point.

Though the Mets are certainly in need of arms for the ‘pen, I wonder if Izzy’s promotion had anything to do with other teams showing interest. Though the Phillies are in first place and not showing any signs of needing relief help just yet, they have announced that closer Brad Lidge will be out until at least the All-Star Break — so one would think they’re in the market for veteran relief help.

Izzy is expected to stay up for a while, depending on his performance. Igarashi will likely be sent down once Jason Bay is ready to return, since Igrashi has options remaining.

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Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Izzy April 11, 2011 at 7:07 am
    Hope you don’t expect much from that powerhouse bench you now have Collins…. Led by Hu/Nickeas/Hairston does Collins get to PH Murphy more than once a night?
  2. Steve S. April 11, 2011 at 7:56 am
    At least Izzy should be able to throw strikes.

    Hopefully, Pelfrey will go back to using his fastball to get strike one on hitters.

    Duda looked lost at the plate and in the field. He needs to get it together at AAA.

  3. Joe April 11, 2011 at 9:08 am
    Duda needs at bats, so that’s okay. Ryota Igarashi really is not someone I expect much of. Boyer lost the game last night, but really, he was okay for a last guy out of the pen. So, the guy you hope gives you a bit of something is Izzy. As to him having sentimental value, how many fans actually remember the guy?
  4. 86mets April 11, 2011 at 10:08 am
    My question is why does Dan Warthen still have a job? Mets pitchers are 2nd from the bottom in ERA, have the 2nd MOST walks allowed, 2nd most hits allowed, and dead last in quality starts, Two reasons the bullpen is taxed: bad starting pitching and poor command as everyone seems to be walking other hitter. Again, why does Warthen still have a job?
    • Andy April 11, 2011 at 12:28 pm
      Maybe he has dirt on the Wilpons? 😉
  5. xDanTanna April 11, 2011 at 10:12 am
    I know Izzy is looked at as the more welcome move here. But, I don’t think he will be able to get it done on this level. At least not for any extended period of time. Iggy on the other hand is someone I believe has the stuff to be what Clippard gave the Nats over the weekend. He has the stuff to do that and despite how last year went for him. This was a very good signing by Omar & could still pay high dividends.
  6. Mic April 11, 2011 at 11:59 am
    This is an interesting situation. Warthen survived the last regime change but really why? No saying he is not good but does his work represent improvement over Peterson?

    I think Joe is best suited to bring this to the fore.

  7. Walnutz15 April 11, 2011 at 12:44 pm
    Not quite sure how Warthen ever survived this latest coaching staff cut, myself.

    Miserable.

    • xDanTanna April 11, 2011 at 12:50 pm
      I could definitely see a change on the pitching coach at some point this season. I think the only reason Warthen may have survived; is you had players like Pelfrey waxing poetic & what an injustice it would be if he was let go.

      I think Sandy Alderson has a very low tolerance level for guys not getting the job done & for coaches/managers that do not have a working brain cell in their head on numerous occasions.

  8. Walnutz15 April 11, 2011 at 1:42 pm
    I think Pelfrey just wanted a familiar coach back this year, rather than bringing back a guy who had an actual positive influence on him.

    He commented on having been through “two piching coaches” – meanwhile, Peterson and Warthen are the only 2 he’s had at the Major League-level…..so I think Pelfrey sometimes talks for the sake of whatever feels comfortable coming out of his mouth at that point in time.

    “If it was up to me, I would bring him back,” Pelfrey told the Daily News. “He’s a very good communicator. I would love to see him back. I’ve already been through two (including former pitching coach Rick Peterson) and it would be nice to have the same guy back that you have a relationship with that you could continue to build on.”

    I can’t see Warthen as anything else but useless to these pitchers….not that they’re the most talented arms in the world, but the rate at which he’s milking “results” out of them – pretty atrocious.

    Dickey started his resurgence at Buffalo last season under Ricky Bones’ watch.

    Niese developed at his own rate, and if anything – was hurt by Warthen choosing not to shut him down last season.

    Pelfrey’s looked awful so far….and I’m not so sure that he hasn’t sought help from outside the organization at every turn….

    Guys like Maine and Perez were the poster-children for the “Lost Boys” under Warthen the past few years….”habitual liar” and quite possibly the worst contract extension in Met history.

    Not exactly a ringing endorsement – and every failure takes an even bigger toll on the bullpen. I don’t think anyone could have realistically expected the starting pitching to repeat last year’s anomaly…..and that’s all that saved Warthen’s job to begin with.

    • xDanTanna April 11, 2011 at 2:15 pm
      Great Post!

      Another interesting point w/ Pelfrey he has been working on his secondary pitches a lot the last couple springs. Yet, Warthen has kinda made him a 2 pitch pitcher here now. There is no consistency in the way Warthen works.

  9. Mic April 11, 2011 at 4:58 pm
    I think there was no one better and maybe thought to wait on Ricky Bones
  10. murph April 11, 2011 at 11:12 pm
    Mr. Alderson sent a clear message with these transactions:
    Two players (Boyer, Duda) screwed up on Sunday afternoon, and were gone by Sunday night.

    Will that shock / scare / motivate other players into performing better?
    That is an open question.