Daily Archives: August 5, 2009
According to a team press release, “Jose Reyes has scar tissue and inflammation behind the right knee, related to the hamstring tendon injury, which has caused continued pain.”
Reyes will continue physical therapy in hopes of breaking up the scar tissue and reduce the inflammation.
…the team has not said so, but, at this late date, this must mean he is effectively done for the season… i mean, he’s going to need time to work back, run full speed, etc., then play minor league games, all for what, to play in a week or two in September…
…is it me, or has this been a long, strange trip for reyes… first it was a cramp, then he hurt it on the flight, he rested, it was a calf, then a hamstring, then a tendon, he had platelet therapy, now there is scar tissue and still issues with the hamstring, all while months have gone by…
Jon Niese has a complete tear of the right upper hamstring tendon from the bone.
…hello, wow… that has got to hurt…
He has been admitted to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and will undergo surgery.
Niese will miss the rest of the season and is expected to be ready for Spring Training in 2010.
…that stinks… not just for the Mets, but for niese… a) the Mets now have no idea how to factor him in to their off-season and next-season plans… and b) for a young kid, who was seemingly just ready to turn the corner, this is a huge set back… good luck, jon…
I have been listening to 1050 ESPN Radio, and they make an interesting point regarding today’s game and David Wright.
The hosts believe Wright should have charged the mound, when the pitcher from the Cardinals nearly hit his helmet with a fastball up and inside.
Instead, Wright did nothing.
I’d like to think I would charged the mound, but I can’t blame Wright for playing it cool.
That said, why didn’t he charge the mound?
It’s been a long and frustrating season, and Wright, who is more or less the team’s captain, is the ‘Last Man Standing,’ so to speak.
It seems like it would have been the ideal time to just take charge and let loose – at the same time, it may not be his temperament, and, if he gets ejected, then what? Or, will his teammates view Wright as being weak? Less of a leader? This is supposedly what happened to Mike Piazza, within the same clubhouse several years ago, as it related to Roger Clemens.
I don’t think there is a definitive answer, but it’s interesting to think about.
Bobby Parnell pitched three scoreless innings today for a save against the Cardinals.
He pitched two innings in relief on Monday.
Following today’s game, Jerry Manuel said the Mets have been considering whether to move Parnell back to the rotation.
Parnell later told reporters he knew moving him back to the rotation had been discussed.
Last season for Double-A, before being promoted to the Mets, Parnell had been 10–6 with a 4.30 ERA n 24 starts.
…i bet parnell replaces Jon Niese next time through the rotation… i mean, at this point, why not… frankly, i am skeptical, because he seemingly lacked a strong secondary pitch in the bullpen, which will be all the more important when working a second and third time through the rotation… that said, if the Mets need a starter, it may as well go to parnell, so they can see what he’s got…
Tagged Robert Parnell |
Jon Niese left today’s game in the second inning with an injury to his right leg after stretching to receive an attempted double-play relay at first base.
Niese threw one warm up pitch after the play and collapsed in pain. He was helped off the field by trainers and appeared unable to put any weight on the leg.
…this is completely absurd…
Update, 2:13 pm:
WFAN announced Niese has gone to the hospital for an MRI.
Gary Sheffield left the game with an apparent hamstring injury.
Update, 3:17 pm:
Following the game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Niese most likely has a tear in the hamstring.
Meanwhile, Manuel said Sheffield felt discomfort in the same hamstring that had been given him trouble earlier in the season.
He said the team will have a better idea on Sheffield, ‘hopefully,’ when they land in San Diego tonight.
Tagged News |The Mets (51–56) defeated the Cardinals (59–51) today by the score of 9 to 0 in Citi Field this afternoon.
For a full recap and boxscore, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Jon Niese started the game, but left with a hamstring injury in the second inning. Nelson Figueroa and Bobby Parnell stepped in to pitch 7.1 innings of scoreless relief.
Angel Pagan was 3 for 4 with a double, a home run and a triple, while David Wright was 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBI.
Misc., Etc., and Other Notes:
Just days after looking terrible against the D-Backs, Figueroa did a fantastic job in relief, as did Parnell, who also got his first major-league hit, dunking a single behind second base. Parnell looked pretty serious with the bat in his hand – I think the beard helps.
Gary Sheffield also left the game with a hamstring injury, though it did not appear to be serious.
You know it’s a weird day when Jeff Francoeur draws a walk.
Pagan continues to impress. He will give this team something to think about, though he may prove to be a really good fourth outfielder, i.e., Endy Chavez, but with a bat.
In the end, I think Citi Field will be big-time pitcher’s park in April and May, when the wind is blowing across the field; but a hitter’s park in late summer, when the wind shifts, blows out and it’s more humid.
The Mets finished the home stand 5–5.
The Mets travel to San Diego and will begin a three-game series with the Padres tomorrow night at 10 pm.
The Mets conclude their two-game 
series with the Cardinals today at 12 pm, with Jon Niese (1–1, 4.50 ERA) taking on Kyle Lohse (4-6, 4.14 ERA).
Angel Pagan will hit leadoff, followed in order by Alex Cora at second base, David Wright, Gary Sheffield in left field, Daniel Murphy at first, Jeff Francoeur, Brian Schneider behind the plate and Angel Berroa at shortstop.
Lohse has a 4.99 ERA in his last 10 starts, during which the Cardinals are 1–9.
Update, 10:59 am:
Jerry Manuel told reporters that Luis Castillo has a ‘mild ankle strain.’
He described it as a ‘day-to-day thing.’
Manuel also said Jose Reyes is likely visiting team doctors right now, and the team should have an update following the game.
Lastly, Robinson Cancel cleared waivers and will return to Triple-A.
Following a ground out in the seventh inning, Luis Castillo fell down the dugout steps and sprained his left ankle.
…i mean, it reads like a lead from The Onion… the thing is, it’s the truth… and, what’s worse, it’s not the least bit surprising…
According to the team, X-rays on Castillo’s ankle were negative.
…how paranoid is David Wright… if i’m him, i am making no sudden movements, i am certainly not walking under latters, and i’m taking small, careful steps when getting out of the shower… go slow, man…
Speaking of injuries…
Jose Reyes returned from St. Lucie yesterday to be examined by team doctors in New York.
According to the team, Reyes continues to feel discomfort in his leg.
…as i said a few weeks ago, from what i understand, the tendon connecting his hamstring and his knee is strained… i have no idea what this means… but, the team and jose continue to believe he can return to action this season… according to people close to reyes, he wants to play, but he’s nervous that he may do more damage and make things worse… the way i understand, he shut it down late last week, but could not fire it back up over the weekend… my bet, however, which is an educated guess, is when news from the doctor comes in, they’ll just shut him down and start work on getting him ready for next season…
Johan Santana had two RBI and made a sensational catch against the Cardinals last night – he also allowed five runs on nine hits through eight innings, though he left with a two-run lead.
However, the Cardinals tied the game against Francisco Rodriguez, eventually winning in extra innings..
…santana did not have his best stuff, but 
he fought and stuck it out, with a lead, that he handed off to rodriguez, all while giving eight innings to get the bullpen rest…
Following the game, Santana said:
“When I left the game, I felt I did my job. It’s one of those crazy seasons, but we just got to keep our heads up… It’s not the first time I’ve been through something like this… These things happen. I still gotta be positive about the things this team is capable of doing.”
…santana is hard on his team, including in his post-game remarks to reporters… some fans do not like this, they see it as disrespectful to his teammates… i’m not one of them… i love it… he should show no mercy… he’s a perfectionist, and maybe the best pitcher in baseball… he works hard, he busts his ass out there at every moment, and he expects his teammates to do the same… if there is a player on the team who is intimidated by this, or who takes offense, he should go play for the Pirates… i want the player who hears johan, nods his head, stands up and is motivated, not the guy whose ego is too fragile to take the truth…
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel was asked if the Mets are wasting Santana’s prime with such poor play, to which he said:
“Well, hopefully his prime lasts a lot longer than one or two years… Before he leaves his prime, he’ll pitch here in the post-season.”
In a column for Newsday, Wallace Matthews wonders what would have happened had Santana stayed with the Twins.
In case you missed it…
To watch SNY.TV’s Post Game Extra, featuring clips from the game; quotes from Jerry Manuel and analysis from Ron, Keith and Gary, see the video player in the sidebar of MetsBlog.com.
