4/22/10

Batting Third, Beltran Update, K-Rod, Jorge Sosa... and Q&A on Havens

Batting Third:


Mets manager Jerry Manuel has considered batting Angel Pagan third. He's weighing several changes right now and hasn't dismissed putting Reyes in the No. 3 spot again either. "I’m so tired of talking about the lineup," said David Wright. "If it happens, it happens. I don’t think anybody in here cares where they hit." It's a rare moment of candor for Wright, but this speaks to his early season frustrations at the plate. - link







Beltran Update:

The Mets didn’t call it a setback, but don’t hold your breath waiting for Carlos Beltran’s return. The center fielder visited doctors in Vail, Colo., about his ailing right knee yesterday, and the team said last night that Beltran was “making progress,” but was not ready to resume baseball-related activities. Until that happens, there won’t be a timetable for Beltran’s return. He will continue his rehabilitation program and Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews, Jr. will take his place - link






K-Rod:
Francisco Rodriguez didn't snap or even utter a four-letter word Tuesday night as Fernando Tatis' fly ball headed for home run territory. Tatis' pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning would pad the Mets' lead -- 2-0 became 4-0 -- but it also would deny Rodriguez a save opportunity. Instead, he spoke a five-letter word. "Again."

The Mets' slow start had afforded him merely one save opportunity in 14 games -- Saturday in St. Louis, in the game that wouldn't end. And his failure to convert it was the reason the game extended to 20 innings. But there were the Mets on Tuesday night, leading by two runs and needing three outs for a second consecutive victory. Rodriguez was armed and eager. And then Tatis stuck his big fat home run in the way. - link  

Jorge Sosa:

The Marlins earlier this month signed right-hander Jorge Sosa, formerly of the Rays, Braves, Mets, Cardinals and Nationals. Sosa spent the last week in extended spring training and in the coming days will report to Triple-A New Orleans. For the time being, Sosa will pitch in the rotation. A veteran of eight seasons and 272 major league games (88 starts), Sosa had his best year with the Braves in 2005. He was 13-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 44 games (20 starts). In 125 games (27 starts) with four teams over the next three seasons, Sosa had a 5.81 ERA - link

Q&A on Havens:

Mark has left a new comment on your post "St. Lucie Roster Moves": Any idea what the deal is with Reese Havens? He has been on the DL a long time for a simple oblique strain. Also isn't Aderlin Rodriguez supposed to be one of Mets better 3rd base prospects and yet I don't see him on any rosters?

Mack: You’re right, Havens (“The Keepers” #35) has been gone for a longer period than one would have thought… no, there is no chatter about him whatsoever. The Mets are very stealth when it comes to their DL and it’s close to impossible to get anyone to talk about players on that list, either on or off the record. Havens has been injured off and on for three seasons now, and though his lifetime bA is only .247, his OPS is .788. Both Josh Satin and Jordany Valedespin are staking their 2B claim, while shortstop is open for a decent bat, either at Binghamton or St. Lucie. Believe me, if he was ready, Luis Nieves wouldn’t have been activated on Wednesday.


Regarding Aderlin Rodriquez (“The Keepers” #14), there’s no rush here. He played 2009 for the GCL Mets, going .290/.389/.387/776, in 62 at bats, as a 17-year old. I expect you’ll see him in Brooklyn come this summer.

No comments: