Within the next 2-3 weeks, the Mets should be getting 3 key injured players back. SS Ruben Tejada, C Josh Thole, and OF Jason Bay are all beginning to play rehab games this week. So which players on the current major league roster will they replace?
In the case of Thole, the answer is simple – Either Mike “Grand Slam” Nickeas or Rob “Snap Throw to First” Johnson (whoever is sucking the most when the time comes) will be replaced.

Has Kirk done enough to stay on the big club?
When Tejada comes back, he would have replaced Vinny Rottino. However, the injury to Justin Turner muddies the picture a bit.
Omar Quintanilla is likely to replace Turner on the roster. If Tejada then replaces Quintanilla, the Mets will only have one player to backup second base, shortstop, and third base – Ronny Cedeno. That’s assuming Cedeno’s minor quad strain doesn’t turn into a major pain in the posterior. If the Mets decide they need 2 backup infielders, then Quintanilla would stay, and Rottino would be sent down after all.
For the sake of this post, let’s assume the latter will be the scenario.
With that in mind, the decision of whom to drop when Bay returns becomes complicated. It’s doubtful the Mets will carry 6 outfielders, so someone is going to have to go. Here are the candidates for replacement: