Read: Omar conference call
Omar Minaya will hold a conference call at 3:15 p.m. to discuss the trade of Billy Wagner and the injury to Johan Santana.
The call will air live on SNY, but I will attempt to live-blog it here for those of you who can’t watch TV at work.
…updated, 3:20 pm…
Minaya announced the Wagner trade and said that shortly after they completed the trade, they got news that Santana will need minor arthroscopic surgery to clean up bone chips in his elbow. The Mets expect him to be ready for spring training.
Oliver Perez is going to New York to visit the doctor to examine his knee.
Nick Evans and Pat Misch will join the roster to replace Santana and Wagner.
The Mets decided to give J.J. Putz more time before starting his rehab, initially scheduled to begin tonight in Brooklyn.
…updated, 3:25 p.m…
Minaya says Santana had been examined at the All-Star Break but doctors saw nothing major in the elbow. He does not recall Santana’s elbow trouble from Spring Training.
Minaya says they wanted to give Putz more time after his last bullpen session, but did not say if Putz had any sort of setback.
…updated, 3:29 p.m…
Joel Sherman of the NY Post asked Minaya why he continued to let Santana start if he’s been hurting since the All-Star Break and skipping his side sessions.
Minaya responded that that’s why they’re shutting him down now. “Up until his last start, it was something that he was able to pitch with. After his last start, he said this to us, and we are, as you say, wisely shutting him down.”
…updated, 3:31 p.m…
Minaya says that Santana’s injury in Spring Training had more to do with his knee and that he wasn’t considered a risk at that time.
…updated, 3:32 p.m…
On the Wagner trade: “Billy, basically, had an opportunity to pitch in the pennant race and we were able to get two prospects for him, and we felt it was the right thing to do.”
Minaya has left a message for Santana but has not spoken with him yet.
