Pre Game: Mets vs. Cardinals (Game 2)
Fernando Tatis will again start in left field and bat clean-up, as Gary Sheffield gets his third day off in a row.
Meanwhile, Fernando Martinez will start in center field.
Alex Cora will start at shortstop and bat leadoff, followed in order by Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Tatis, Ryan Church, Omir Santos, Martinez, Luis Castillo, and Livan Hernandez.
Hernandez (5–1, 4.18 ERA) starts for the Mets tonight. He allowed seven runs and nine hits in just four innings against the Cardinals in April. He is 4–0 with a 3.24 ERA in his last nine starts.
Joel Pineiro (5–8, 3.76 ERA) starts for the Cardinals. He allowed two runs and six hits in eight innings against the Mets in April.
Update, 4:47 pm:
According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Jose Reyes will take batting practice today and field ground balls on the infield.
However, there is still no plan to let him do light running.
…the way i understand it, there is no sense getting excited for jose’s return until there is news of him running full-speed, 100 percent on the base paths…
Update, 5:10 pm:
Jerry Manuel told reporters today that John Maine will throw a bullpen session tomorrow, and could re-join the Mets on Saturday.
Oliver Perez will throw a bullpen session tomorrow, as well.
Update, 5:41 pm:
To read quotes from Jose Reyes, who said he might not return until around the All-Star break, go to Bart Hubbuch’s blog for the New York Post.
