What appeared to be Josh Anderson’s job in center field has suddenly 
become a competition among Atlanta Braves outfielders.
On Thursday, Bobby Cox said the position was “wide open.” Challenging Anderson are Gregor Blanco and top prospect Jordan Schafer.
J.A. Happ is making an impression with the Phillies in his battle for the 5th starter spot in the Philadelphia rotation. Happ has a 2.45 ERA (3 ER in 11 innings) in three outings this spring.
“He looks like he’s got a purpose out there,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “He looks like he belongs there.”
Florida Marlins utility man Alfredo Amezaga sprained his left knee while 
playing Sunday for Mexico in the WBC. Amezaga is expected to be out for four to six weeks.
Reports today also indicate that Florida has released 1B/OF Jay Gibbons. Gibbons was trying to make a comeback after admitting to using steroids.
And lastly, the Seattle Mariners last night signed former Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero to minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
For more news, notes, analysis and statistics from around Major League Baseball, be sure to visit Baseball Daily Digest.
{ 26 comments }
Timmy Redding did his best to give Jay Gibbons a job, obviously not good enough.
Nice job with the old logos. When I was little I used to try to draw all the MLB logos, and the Braves and Tigers were impossible.
am i the only one that is still backing redding up? kingman where are u man?!?!
I’m with you on Redding. he was hurt, didn’t get in a full offseason, and has made 2 spring starts.
And everyone is ready to run him outta town…. Give him a chance.
A few people want him gone. But unless I do not comprehend the Mets Blog language when does a few translate into everybody?
I will give Redding a couple of more shots but I think its safe to say that Garcia is about done
“And everyone is ready to run him outta town…. Give him a chance.”
Cause he hasnt even shown he can get batters out. He has no Ks in his games, he gave up a ton of runs and HRs in both games. He hasnt shown me anything that says, “ok you know what, maybe he just needs some time”
That happens to everyone. Joba looked awful for 2 starts. CC was terrinble in his first start. Johan let up 4 runs in the 2nd inning on his start.
This happens all the time. The facts are he rushed back to compete. Looking like it was too early and he’s not ready. He will work it out. If it’s start 5 and he’s getting shelled, ok we have an issue. It’s spring training. He’s trying to just locate his fastball, and work in his pitches to live hitters. I bet if you ask him he will say it doesn’t matter to him.
Joba had 1 inning 5 walks 5 ER’s and said it’s the best i’ve felt all spring. Then he went out and allowed 0 ER 1 hit and 3 k in 3 innings. But he should be been ran out of town after his 2 starts.
You need to take your finger off the panic button in spring.
True, everyone has their struggles in the spring. Here’s the difference, though. Joba has been dominant (in limited exposure). Sabathia has a proven track record of being great. What has Redding ever done? He has been average his entire career. A regression when coming back from injury is not out of the question. When you’re average, at best, and you regress to giving up gopher balls to University of Michigan students, I think fans have cause for concern. The alarm is even greater when you look at the other options for 5th starter right now. Garcia? Livan? Neise?
Let’s not forget that Maine is coming back from injury, and Pelfrey just pitched the most innings of his life last season. Both of them are question marks in my book. Then we have Ollie, who could get pulled in 2/3 of an inning, or pitch a no hitter, and I don’t think any Met fan would be shocked either way.
He was fine the first half last year before injury. Under 4.00 ERA and decent WHIP. Same thing in his starts for 2007. Evidently he is just not healthy yet.
Way off the topic here but does anyone go on to the SNY message board? Its a mess over there
whats wrong with it?
They have like 3 Yankee fans that post non stop garbage about the Mets all I have to say is thank god for Metsblog
i guess they have a yankee inferiority complex now that marte and canoe might be sidelined with injuries
(1) Nice job with the old logos
(2) I guess one bombzilla last night wasn’t enough for the Marlins
can anyone explain to me when the marlins celebrate after ugla’s 2 homers its ok but when jose does it its “showboating?”
it’s just youthful exuberence from those plucky Marlins… sorry I had to stop myself before I puked. Just come to accept the double standard and enjoy Jose’s play and hope he shoves it up their, well you get the picture.
hey guys it the moment you have all been waiting for – “THE FRIDAY EVENING EDITION OF !!!! “THIS DAY IN METS INFAMY WITH RUSTY!!!”
OK FIRST BIRThday wishes go out to
utilit infielder for the 66-67 team Al Luplow (1939)
Gary Kolb (utility player or super scrub – u decide) (1940)
Terry Leach – very good pitcher from the early to late ’80’s that got short shrifted by frank cashen (1954)
Jorge “they say im a cather but im not so sure” Fabregas (1970)
Johan “the new franchise”Santana (1979)
Transactions:
New York Mets traded Mardie Cornejo to the Detroit Tigers for Ed “i think im a relief pitcher” Glynn on March 13, 1979.
Detroit Tigers claimed Shane Halter of the New York Mets on waivers on March 13, 2000.- never to be seen or heard from again.
which leads me to believe he was a snack for mo vaughn on this date in 2002
by the way did garcia’s line really mirroe how he pitched or did he struggle to get out of the last 2 innings? i mean did he make his case for the 5th starter opening?
I thought he did better. I really don’t know why they pulled him. He had been victim to a small ball run and a HR. He had only given up 2 hits. I have no idea why they did not let him finish the 3rd.
There is a common misconception on here that if you have a 5 ERA or even a 6 ERA that you are giving up 5 or 6 runs in the games you pitch. That is not the case.
In fact if you give up 4 runs in 6 innings it’s a 6 ERA. With our pen, we are for sure still in the game if any of our #5 starters can go 6 innings and give up 3-4 runs.
Aaron Heilman’s number’s this spring,
ERA 1.13, INN 8, SO 12……………. I’m just saying…….
His 2008 ST Stats off of ESPN:
0.00 ERA, INN 7, SO 8, 5 Hits
And we know how that turned out.
I’ve been a Heilman apologist and think he never got a fair shot as a Starter under Petersen. But, it was time to move on. I’ve said before here I wish him well just not against us.
I agree, I think after the hr to the immortal Yadier Molina in “06 (painful memory) he lost confidence and never really recovered.
One thing I will say is he’s healthy now and i’ve seen him go through stretches with his 97 mph fastball and change where he was unhitable.
True, true. And if he had just been left in for the 1 inning he was responsible for instead of having to go 2 to cover for the combustable Wagner that Willie rightfully had lost faith in by that point…ahh what could have been. He was also another guy Rick had abandon the curveball which was an excellent pitch for him. He’s got such good stuff he’s hard to figure.
34wins-51loses,5era.not agood pitcher
that tim redding.and rusty,thanks for the ed glynn mention.the only peanut vendor in
shea stadium history to later take the
mound for us.
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