Delgado Update, Pena Getting Ready

Carlos Delgado would have returned to the line-up today, if the game had not been rained out, a trip to the DL wouldn't help his condition. Delgado will simply have to play through the pain, until he can't bear it anymore, and while nobody has said it, that more then likely means he needs surgery. I'm sure everybody is hoping that it can, at least wait until after the season. I'm very concerned about Delgado, in the past he's struggled when uncomfortable, and he puts such torque on his hips with his powerful swing, that it might quickly become unbearable....

I speculated the other day, that the best candidate to replace Delgado on the roster would be Wily Mo Pena. At the time, I wasn't considering Pena for defensive reasons (Tatis would be the starter) but more for a power bat with experience coming off the bench. The Mets must consider Pena their best option as well, since he's playing first base in Buffalo. Pena experimented, in 2007, at first base with the Red Sox's AAA affiliate (Pawtucket) but has not played there since. He's in his fourth game at the position, while leading the team in batting with a .313 BA and .500 Slg. Pct....

"Jerry Manuel said a prolonged rest wouldn't do Delgado's hip good anyway, since the medical staff has advised that the condition is not likely to improve with inactivity. Instead, Manuel said, the irritation is likely to linger for the season, and Delgado's ability to play will be an issue of pain tolerance. source Daily News
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