GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said, “He’s in the mix. But ultimately his expectations might be a little too high as far as playing time goes. This is a limited playing role.”

The Phillies are also targeting Nomar Garciaparra if he decides not to retire.

…i don’t encourage pursuing nomar, but if he was interested in a utility/bench role,  an incentive-laden and inexpensive deal could be interesting…with the recent signing of Alex Cora however, i doubt this will happen…

According to Minaya, Alou will most likely decide to have surgery, and, in either case, will realistically miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the season.

…well, look, if you are shocked by the fact that alou could be gone for the season, you just haven’t been paying attention…

…it’s a shame that he’s out of the mix, but, at the same time, at least Omar Minaya can now operate knowing alou is out of the mix…

According to Manuel, “One thing about the Alou name, with that family, is that you never give up on them, regardless of what they go through.”

To watch clips from Manuel’s pre-game talk with reporters, click the play button below:

…seriously, this guy is totally incapable of not hurting himself…i have really never seen anything like this…i mean, he may as well be my grandfather out there right now…

He will re-evaluated tomorrow, and told reporters after the game he will likely have an MRI.

Following last night’s game, Alou told the Norwich Bulletin that he would be able to return to the Mets by this weekend.

However, prior to today’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters it might make more sense for Alou to simply wait on his return until after the All-Star Break.

…or, until he stumbles upon the fountain of youth…hell, he spends enough time in florida these days, he may actually find it…

According to the Norwich Bulletin, Alou said: “There’s a pretty good chance I might be up there Friday. There’s a chance I may wait until after the All-Star break, but my goal is to be back in New York this weekend.”

…i’ll believe when i see it, moises…

…as i said yesterday, i’ll be interested to see how Jerry Manuel manages alou’s health on a daily basis…

…perhaps alou should become a part-time player, splitting time with Endy Chavez, and become the team’s go-to pinch hitter when not in the starting lineup…

Alou, who is recovery from a strained calf, is batting .347 with 9 RBI in 49 at-bats this season.

The Mets are 7-8 in games Alou has appeared in this season.

…i’ll be very interested to see how Jerry Manuel manages the day-to-day health of alou, if and when he comes back…

…with a healthy Ryan Church in the lineup and Endy Chavez playing well, alou might need to become a part-time player, playing three or four games every week…perhaps that will allow him to stay healthy, while becoming the team’s go-to pinch hitter…

Initial reports suggested that Alou would play for Binghamton tonight, then return to the Mets on Monday.

Speaking of outfielders, Manuel also told reporters that Angel Pagan will not have season-ending surgery, as he has shown improvements of late in his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.

He was scheduled to play a rehab game on, but the game was rained out, as was last night’s game as well.

To avoid another rain out, he will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Friday.

…had he been able to play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as the team hoped, he could have rejoined the Mets this weekend in Philadelphia…now the talk is that he’ll join them, still in Philadelphia, but on Monday instead…however, my bet is he rejoins the team at home in New York on Tuesday, when they begin a series against the Giants…

…alou did not slip in a puddle and hurt himself, so no worries on that front…

According to Jerry Manuel, Alou hopes to play in two or three games for St. Lucie – after which he may rejoin the Mets this weekend in Philadelphia.

In the 98 games Moises Alou has started over the last two seasons, the Mets are 53–45 (.540).  However, in the 147 games he has missed, the Mets are 75–72 (.510).

Prior to today’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Church will likely be activated tomorrow.

Also, Manuel said that Moises Alou could return to the team next weekend in Philadelphia.