Morning News: April 15 (Young on target, 30 days & Mejia)
The Mets, who have lost 5 in a row, begin a three-game series against the Braves tonight in Atlanta, with DJ Carrasco filling in for Chris Young.
Young, who was pushed back to Sunday due to bicep tendinitis, pitched a 35-pitch bullpen session yesterday and told reporters he feels good and is on target for his next scheduled start.
According to David Waldstein of the New York Times, “The combined attendance for yesterday’s doubleheader was 25,758.”
Similarly, in the New York Post, George Willis says, “The Mets are fast becoming what the Knicks used to be in this town – a team short on talent and low on expectations that can’t find a way to keep from losing.’ Maybe, George. Of course, after years of difficult decisions, smart moves and bloodletting, the Knicks are back in the playoffs … just saying.
Triple-A RHP Jenrry Mejia pitched 6 scoreless innings last night and told MiLB.com that he’s getting closer to be a complete pitcher, and he plans to be 100% ready for when the Mets call on him to be a big-league starting pitcher. I’m really excited for Mejia, Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, as well as other young, powerful arms in the farm system. But, I like Mejia’s approach: Be smart, be ready.
In case you didn’t notice, by making the last pitch for the Mets yesterday, down five runs, Francisco Rodriguez got his third game finished of the season meaning he’s now 52 away from locking in his $17.5 million option for 2012. I just don’t understand this. I don’t get it at all!
According to a source familiar with the sale, “Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz hope to make a decision on who will invest in the team within 30 days,” reports Terri Thompson and Michael O’Keefe of the Daily News. I look forward to the announcement, and hearing how this might hopefully help the on-field product. Real, actual news is good. I’m tired of the speculation and psuedo-financial analysis from sports writers, who can’t possibly know what they’re opining about.
Lastly, around MLB, the Giants are not likely to get anything in return for LHP Barry Zito; Carlos Delgado announced his retirement and talked to MLB Trade Rumors about his career; and Yankees LHP Pedro Feliciano has a torn capsule in his left shoulder, which might require season-ending surgery.
By the way, as Andy McCullough points out in the Star-Ledger, “The Mets will receive the No. 44 overall pick in June’s draft as compensation for Feliciano (signing with the Yankees). … The Mets own the Nos. 13, 44, 71 and 101 selections.”
