J.J. Putz hit 95 mph on the radar gun during his first game in the World Baseball Classic, reports Anthony McCarron in the Daily News.
In a report for MLB.com, Marty Noble profiles Jose Valentin, who he feels is most likely to start the season at Triple-A.
…it’s the right move… valentin can go to Triple-A, and [...]

Mets OF Jeremy Reed is in camp, and talked to Adam Rubin of the Daily News about playing for Wally Backman during his time with the White Sox in Double-A.
“He’s an unbelievable manager,” Reed told Rubin of Backman.  “Those kind of guys, they believe in you and you see it and it helps you strive [...]

The Mets have signed 40–year-old, free-agent Jose Valentin to a minor-league deal that will pay him $800,000 if he makes the team, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Valentin, who is a switch hitter, did not play in the majors during 2008, however he hit .262 with a .322 OBP in 550 at [...]

Ryan Church will likely play in a rehab game for Single-A Brooklyn this week, with the hope of returning to Shea Stadium this weekend against the Yankees.
Meanwhile, prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that, while Moises Alou could eventually return to action, he is approaching the rest of the season as though Alou [...]

At his blog for the Journal News, John Delcos reports Jose Valentin will miss the remainder of the season, as he is not progressing with his rehab.
Delcos’ report also provides injury updates on Moises Alou, Ryan Church and Fernando Martinez.

Jose Valentin went 4-for-4 last night, in his fourth game since joining Triple-A New Orleans.
In 17 at bats for New Orleans this season, while playing first base and designated hitter, Valentin is batting .235 with one extra base hit, four strike outs and a perfectly groomed mustache.
…if he’s hitting, i would like to see him back with the Mets, [...]

Jose Valentin was hitless in four at bats for Triple-A New Orleans last night.
He had been hitting .320 in seven games during a rehab assignment for Single-A St. Lucie.
Last week, at the baseball blog for the New York Times, Charlie Nobles talked with Valentin, who has been frustrated watching the Mets from the sidelines and [...]

Over at the baseball blog for the New York Times, Charlie Nobles catches up with the rehabbing Jose Valentin.
According to Nobles, Valentin, who had been rehabbing a knee injury, but is now nursing a sore elbow, has been frustrated watching the Mets from the sidelines and believes he can help the team reach their potential.

…while [...]

In nature, there is what’s known as a “pack animal” (ex. dogs and wolves). Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal, who has the strongest personality and leads the other members of the pack.
Obviously, baseball teams are not comprised of dogs, but there is something to the concept that applies. For [...]

In his latest installment of Rumblings & Grumblings on ESPN.com, Jayson Stark discusses how the Mets clubhouse sorely misses Jose Valentin.
Stark quotes a baseball insider as explaining:
“Not having Jose Valentin might be the biggest difference between this team and the 2006 team … He not only played well. He’s a tough guy. He kept [...]