He will play with Triple-A New Orleans again tonight, as will Trot Nixon.

Through a team spokesman, Church said he was happy to be back on the field, though he still has not set a timetable for his return.

Meanwhile, according to Adam Rubin, in the Daily News, “Luis Castillo’s 20-day minor-league rehab clock is set to run out midweek, meaning the Mets may be forced to activate the second baseman on Thursday unless a legitimate injury issue remains.”

Castillo is batting .077 in 11 games during his rehab assignment.

…the Mets are a better team with Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes playing second base, then they were in the start of the season with Castillo, which is not to say he is the reason they win and lose…it’s just, things are going well as is, and i’d hate to see them mess with a good thing…

…Jerry Manuel seemingly rewards people who perform, so it’s hard to imagine how this scenario will play out, though it will be an interesting test to see what the organization values: putting its best team on the field, or justifying a poor contract…

Also, Trot Nixon went 2 for 3 with an RBI as the team’s DH.

In 17 appearances for the Mets in 2007, Burgos was 1–0 with a 3.42 ERA, during which he struck out 19 batters in 23 innings while batters hit just .200 against him.

Nixon batted .171 with a homerun in 35 at-bats for the Mets this season.

Church is in today’s lineup playing right field and batting sixth.

He will wear uniform No. 6, formerly of the Ruben Gotay, Wally Backman collection.

Nixon told reporters that he used to watch the Mets on television as a kid, adding that he ‘loved’ Lenny Dykstra.

David Wright, speaking about Nixon, prior to last night’s rain out at Shea Stadium:

“He goes out there and plays the game the right way, and I think that will rub off on the clubhouse here.  He’s a proven winner, knows what it takes.  He’s a guy who’s going to be well respected, a guy who everybody can look up to and learn from.”

Willie Randolph, on Nixon, speaking to reporters prior to yesterday’s rain out:

I’ve always had a lot of respect for Trot, the way he plays the game…He’s been on winning ballclubs and I like the way he grinds and plays hard…He seems like one of those old-school kind of players.  He plays with a lot of intensity. I like that in him.  He goes up there and competes, takes his cuts.  He’s just one of those focused kind of players.”

Nixon, talking to reporters from the locker room, after arriving to Shea Stadium around 7 pm:

“I’ve been hoping and waiting to get the opportunity to get back to the major leagues…I’m glad to be back at this level, and I’m glad to be with a team that has a chance to win…I’ve played in Boston and I’ve played in the big series. I look forward to coming out here and competing on a daily basis.”

His batting average has dropped in each of the last four seasons, from .315 in 2004 to .251 last year, though he hit .288 during the second half of the season.

Nixon was batting .309 with a .437 OBP, 15 2B, 10 HR and 31 RBI in 181 at-bats for the D-backs Triple-A Tucson affiliate.

He hit .288 after the All-Star break last season, and reached base safely in 67 of 98 games.

…i like the move…i will like it even more if he replaces Robinson Cancel on the roster…

According to Minaya, Nixon will join the team tomorrow and be ready for the game.

…added to by Matthew Cerrone…

…i like this guy…he’s a tough, hard-nosed player, who can hit from the left side, who was won in the past, and who’ll play solid defense…but, most importantly, he’ll bring a little grit that i believe this team is need of…