Schneider recognizes that he will not be brought back in 2010, telling Adam Rubin of the Daily News:

“I won’t be back…I’m okay with that. I’ll easily get a job next year. I’m not worried about it. I’ll get a job and just move on. Guys do that. I’m not going to retire. No way..It is what it is. There’s nothing I can do…There’s nothing I can say. I’m giving time up to a guy who has never played in the big leagues before and I’m okay with that. He’s a good kid. I’m glad he’s getting a chance to play.”

…at the time he was acquired, i was on board with the move considering the team had lacked a solid defensive backstop for a long time, but i have to believe the injuries took their toll on Schneider…his performance behind the plate was disappointing overall, and i think we all expected a compromise offensively…

Schneider has hit just .195 with three home runs and 24 RBI in just 51 games this season,

For more on Schneider, take a look at Rubin’s article.

Schneider recognizes his reduced role with the Mets but still feels that he can help the team by teaching Thole, telling Noble:

“He just needs experience. He’s young in catcher years…Maybe I can tell him something that will cut down how much he needs. He works hard, and when you tell him something, he doesn’t blow it off. He does ask questions, and you can tell by what he asks what he knows and that he wants to learn.”

For more on Schneider and Thole, check out Noble’s article.

…the buzz from Citi Field yesterday suggested he would be back in the starting lineup either today or tomorrow…

…in addition, the Mets may activate Gary Sheffield from the disabled list this weekend, as well…

…it could not come at a better time, because the bench is super weak…

Last night, Angel Berroa pinch hit for Livan Hernandez and grounded out with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Following the game, Hernandez said, ‘I think we made a bad decision,’ regarding Manuel’s choice to pinch hit Berroa.

…ouch… but, he might be right… i mean, manuel’s bench has been so weak of late, livan has been taking batting practice every day because he, a starting pitcher batting .135, is consider a legit option for offense from the bench…

The second opinion from Dr. Andrews confirmed the initial report by team doctors that said John Maine has weakness in his shoulder.

The Mets said Maine will continue to rehab in St. Lucie.

Meanwhile, according to SNY’s Pre-Game Live, Brian Schneider had a cortisone shot in his left knee yesterday, which is why he is not starting in either of today’s double-header.

…this would also explain why the Mets promoted Robinson Cancel today from Triple-A, to have the other catcher…

In a post to Twitter, SI.com’s Jon Heyman writes, “White Sox talking to Mets about catching, most likely Ramon Castro.”

Heyman adds, “That sound you hear is Jerry Manuel cheering.”

Original Post, 5:13 pm:

Adam Rubin of the Daily News believes the Mets are trying to trade C Ramon Castro before Saturday’s game.

Rubin reports Brian Schneider will be activated tomorrow.

Rubin also provides information on where Castro might be traded, and how the Mets plan to manage the roster if he’s unable to moved.

…uh oh, roster squeeze with omar at the wheel, look out…

…there is no way this team can justify carrying three catchers, especially with how often they tend to play short-handed…

…hopefully, they find a taker for castro, whose removal from the clubhouse could be a good thing, frankly… if not, i realize castro is probably due around $2 million more this season, but they have to consider releasing him… i know they will not, but they should…

The 28–year-old Santos is batting .268 with two HR and 15 RBI.

Meanwhile, Castro, who missed several games each of the last two seasons with injuries, is batting .253 with three HR and 13 RBI.

“This was a huge win for us,” Jerry Manuel said after the game.

Santos is hitting .270 with six extra base hits and 15 RBI during 24 games for the Mets this season.

To hear Santos speaking with reporters following last night’s win, check out Bart Hubbuch’s blog for the New York Post.

In the Daily News, Adam Rubin writes, “Brian Schneider could return to the Mets from the DL within a week.”

… a few weeks ago, the talk was that santos would get sent down when schneider returns… now, i see no way the Mets can let this happen… castro has to go, unless the Mets again plan to carry three catchers… however, given all the injuries, and playing short handed, how is that justified… sorry, ramon…

Castro, who played just 52 games each of the last two seasons, is batting .239 with a .316 OBP in 24 games this season.

…i actually like knowing the team’s starting catcher is down there working with perez, as he tries to right himself…

Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel said the hip injury is a ‘concern,’ noting Delgado is not likely to play tonight.

Omar Minaya told reporters Delgado has an inflamed hip joint, and could also have tendinitis.

In the New York Times, Ben Shpigel points out, “Delgado’s right hip ailment has been described by the Mets over the last two weeks as soreness, discomfort, inflammation and tendinitis… Delgado said he had an impingement.”

…ahh, yes, nothing like mixed messages and confused language from the Mets to ease my mind when it comes to injuries… ugh…

According to multiple reports, Delgado did not indicate when he would return to the lineup – but, it should be noted he missed four consecutive starts a few weeks ago, when the injury first became an issue.

Last week, Manuel explained, “There will be days he’ll feel kind of cranky and days where he feels good.  We’ll have to find that balance.”

Delgado acknowledged a trip to the disabled list is a possibility, and something he would prefer should the pain continue.

However, the team insisted two weeks ago that such a move would do little to improve the soreness, and discomfort, and inflammation and tendinitis, or the impingement.

Delgado’s MRI did not reveal a torn labrum, which is what forced Alex Rodriguez and Chase Utley to have surgery.

In the New York Post, Mark Hale explains, “Delgado had the same injury last year in spring training, but after he took a cortisone shot, he was fine.  He did receive a cortisone shot a couple weeks ago, but this time it has not worked.”

“Well, he has a right to a second opinion,” Minaya said, according to Shpigel.  “But we’re comfortable and he’s comfortable with our doctors.”

Speaking of injuries…

Minaya also said Brian Schneider was scratched from his extended spring training game yesterday, saying there is no timetable for when he will return to action.

Schneider originally went on the 15–day disabled list with a back injury, but then injured his calf during his rehab.

Schneider is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Sunday, May 3, in Philadelphia.

According to Hubbuch, “The Mets now are saying his return has been pushed back indefinitely after the calf issue developed this week.”

Hubbuch continues on to write how Schneider’s status will impact, or not impact, Omir Santos and Ramon Castro.

…i still believe santos is sent to triple-a regardless of how he does, or how castro behaves… unfortunately, it’s not like the Mets to cut a player like castro, in favor of a younger, potentially-better player, like santos… at least not yet…of course, this is all meaningless right now, if schneider is unable to return any time soon…