The Flushing Faithful can stop panicking…sort of.
Johan Santana and John Maine have shown improvement since their first starts of the spring. Most importantly, they are healthy.
Pedro Martinez will have taken the mound for the first time when seven o’clock passes on Thursday night.
Petey still suffers from foot pain but he said in Newsday, "It still hurts. There are landings when I do feel it, but I have to put it away in my mind."
Oliver Perez was shaky in his first start, but he too has his health.
One who doesn’t have his health is Orlando Hernandez. El Duque has been working on his own to alter his delivery to avoid the pain caused by a bunion on his right foot.
Thankfully, Mike Pelfrey has gotten off to a great start, shutting down the opposition and getting those ground-ball outs Met fans have heard so much about.
The good news for the rotation is that the Mets do not need a fifth starter until mid-April, so as long as a foursome of Santana, Pedro, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey, and El Duque are ready to go, the Mets can buy themselves some time with a straggler or two and carry extra position players or relievers.
Assuming Pedro is healthy, Santana, Pedro, Maine, and Perez will start out the year as the top four starters, with Pelfrey possibly hanging around Florida for a couple of extra weeks getting more work and waiting to see if El Duque has his podiatric situation resolved.
The bullpen has been strong so far this spring. Regulars Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, and Pedro Feliciano are good to go.
Scott Schoeneweis has looked good his last couple of outings. Duaner Sanchez finally got into a game, and although not yet on is early 2006 form, his progress is promising.
If Sanchez is not yet ready to go, Matt Wise, Brian Stokes, Jorge Sosa, Rule V pick Steven Register, and non-roster invitee Nate Field have all been solid.
Juan Padilla also made an appearance on the mound, but still needs some time. Joe Smith has given up some runs, but also got a big double play in the latest contest against the Dodgers.
A team can never have too much pitching, which is a good thing for the Mets, because as of now, they don’t have enough hitting.
Moises Alou has already recorded his first MRI of the season, suffering from a sore groin.
Carlos Delgado and Ruben Gotay have been scanned, poked, and prodded with Delgado suffering from a balky hip and Gotay being bothered by wrist and ankle injuries.
Delgado has since resumed training, hitting off a tee.
In addition to Gotay, second baseman Luis Castillo and utility men Damion Easley and Jose Valentin continue to be held out of action as they recover from their 2007 injuries.
This leaves light-hitting Anderson Hernandez at the top of the second base depth chart for now. Hernandez did record a couple of hits, including the game winner against the Dodgers on Wednesday, but don’t call him Joe Morgan just yet.
At least the left side of the infield is healthy with David Wright and Jose Reyes seeing regular action this spring.
1 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Steve Yodz about 1 year ago
Good analysis. Sounds like the Mets need to be really worried about the right side of the infield. If Delgado doesn't get back to himself, that will be a huge loss for them. Keep up the good work.
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