Daily Archives: March 17, 2009
Update, 7:15 am:
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…i still get the sense Pedro Martinez will end up with the Dodgers… it has been the best fit for him since they lost Derek Lowe and Greg Maddux, and it remains a good fit today…
Update, 11:22 pm:
MLBTradeRumors.com notes two sources, the Houston Chronicle and MLB.com, who say the Astros are not close to signing Martinez.
Original Post:
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus reports, citing a ‘baseball source,’ the Astros 
are close to signing free-agent RHP Pedro Martinez to a contract.
Meanwhile, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports the Astros have scheduled a press conference tomorrow morning, but have declined to state what will be announced, stating only that it has nothing to do with the recent signing of Ivan Rodriguez.
Playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Martinez pitched six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out six in two appearances against the Netherlands.
Tagged Mike Nichols, Pedro Martinez |
Here is video of Johan Santana pitching in an intra-squad, minor-league game today, then speaking to reporters, courtesy of SNY:
Rocky Cherry cleared waivers and was offered back to the Orioles, who declined to pay the fee to bring him back.
The Mets then released Cherry, who they are working to re-sign in hopes of sending him to 
Triple-A.
James K at Amazin’ Avenue takes a statistical look at The Best Infield Ever.
In a post to Big League Stew, ‘Duk asks, “Are the Mets running undercover scouting operations in Arizona?”
Lastly, Andrew of The ‘Ropolitans posts a photo of the Mets St. Patrick’s Day hat, which is pretty hideous.
Tagged Mets Spring Training |
While Philadelphia’s Ruben Amaro Jr. and Cole Hamels continue to downplay the soreness in Hamels’ throwing elbow, Jim Salisbury of Philly.com isn’t as optimistic.
However, exam results today just showed inflamation. No structural damage was found. Hamels says he feels stiffness and has trouble getting loose in between innings.
Washington Nationals prospect Jordan Zimmermann threw four scoreless innings on Monday, striking out six without issuing a walk. He has pitched 12 1/3 scoreless innings this month and has struck out 16 batters. Zimmerman is making a strong bid to make the club out of Spring Training.
Florida Marlins pitcher Matt Lindstrom has a strained right rotator cuff and will be shut down seven to 10 days. His availability for opening day is in question.
Meanwhile, SS Hanley Ramirez was out of the lineup on Monday with a sore right shoulder. Again, nobody thinks it’s serious, but it’s worth keeping an eye on Hanley as the days and weeks progress.
And down in Orlando, Atlanta’s Tom Glavine threw two innings in an intrasquad game on Monday, his first game action since elbow and shoulder surgery. Glavine allowed two hits and one run, struck out two, and threw thirty-eight pitches.
The Braves were pleased with the outing.
For more news, notes, analysis and statistics from around Major League Baseball, be sure to visit Baseball Daily Digest.
Tagged MetsBlog |The Game:
The Mets (7-8-1) continue their Grapefruit League Schedule against the Braves (12-3) today at Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, starting at 1:05 p.m. EDT.
The Lineup:
- 2B Marlon Anderson
- 3B Jose Valentin
- LF Daniel Murphy
- 1B Nick Evans
- RF Ryan Church
- CF Bobby Kielty
- C Robinson Cancel
- SS Ruben Tejada
- P Jon Niese
The Pitchers:
Jon Niese (0-1, 9.00 ERA) makes the start for the Mets. Bobby Parnell, Darren O’Day, Brian Stokes, Casey Fossum and Carlos Muniz are also schedule to pitch.
Jair Jurrjens (0-0, 4.66 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Braves.
How To Catch It:
Tagged Mike Nichols |Today’s game will not be broadcast locally. However, you can follow the live GameDay boxscore, by clicking here.
Johan Santana tossed 56 pitches through four innings during a minor-league intrasquad game today.
Santana allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five.
…from what i can gather, he looked like johan… he used all of his pitches, stayed within his pitch limit, and i’m sure he will tell reporters later how he is feeling…
SNY will air hilights of Santana’s outing tonight on SportsNite.
Daniel Murphy is doing the notebook thing, 
inspired by Carlos Delgado, explains Anthony Rieber in Newsday.
In his Flushing Fussing column for SNY, Ted Berg sets odds on who will be the team’s fifth starter, with Livan Hernandez leading the race today.
…i actually think i am going to start calling it: the initial fifth starter… since, like for most teams, the Mets will have at least four or five fifth starters throughout the season…
Marty Noble of MLB.com responds to readers in a mailbag, and, among other things, explains that David Wright is wearing No. 4 in the WBC because the manager, Davey Johnson, is wearing No. 5.
Peter Abraham of the Journal News provides a glossary of spring training terms, such as ‘Throw a Bullpen,’ and ‘Simulated Game.’
Update, 10:55 am:
From what I can gather, Cherry will be returned to the O’s.
Original Post:
According to Adam Rubin in the Daily News, “The Mets have begun the process of returning Rule 5 pick Rocky Cherry to the Orioles.”
Cherry was placed on waivers Friday, reports Rubin, who also provides details on how much the transaction will cost, and where Cherry will end up if he is not claimed.
Cherry has allowed one run on five hits in four innings this spring.
…on the flip side, though, Darren O’Day has looked very good… i have a feeling he will be on the Opening Day roster, because a) he’s a Rule 5 pick, b) the Mets consider him a ‘cross-over guy,’ and c) he gives them a ‘different look,’ as they say, because he 
throws side arm…
Speaking of the bullpen, in the Bergen Record, Steve Popper profiles Mets 24–year-old RHP Bobby Parnell, while adding, “with the release of Duaner Sanchez, he looks like a seventh-inning setup man for the revamped bullpen.”
…frankly, i think he has to be a lock to make the bullpen… most important, he can strike a guy out, and he can pitch to both left– and right-handed hitters, plus he can start if the team is in need… he’s a no brainer, at this point…
Tagged Robert Parnell |On Sunday, David Wright was kneed in the head while sliding into second base during the World Baseball Classic.
Wright remained in the game, but told reporters later he felt dizzy while insisting he was fine.
Meanwhile, Team USA will play Puerto Rico in an elimination game today, meaning either Wright and J. J. Putz or Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Alex Cora, Pedro Feliciano and Nelson Figueroa will return to St. Lucie by the end of the week.
Lastly, Mexico was eliminated from the WBC last night, so Oliver Perez will likely return to camp in the next day or so.
Perez went 0-1 during the tournament, and allowed eight runs, three walks and 13 hits, including five homers, in two starts.
In a report for the New York Post, Bart Hubbuch says, “Club officials were especially hot yesterday after Mexico manager Vinny Castilla had Perez throw 85 pitches… Perez wouldn’t be anywhere near that number in an appearance right now if he were back with the Mets.”
To read more about Perez, and Dan Warthen, read Priced Out of the Citi.
Tagged Nelson Figueroa, Oliver Perez, Pedro Feliciano |
