Die Hard Sports Fan

The Mets are going to host the Reds this weekend.  As of right now, the game is on even though it is raining in Queens.  The Mets have an opportunity to beat up on some crappy NL teams right now.  We’ll see if that actually happens or if they will continue to play .500 baseball.  Here’s a look at the probable pitching matchups:

• 05/09/2008 - Matt Belisle (1-2) - Mike Pelfrey (2-2)
• 05/10/2008 - Bronson Arroyo (1-4) - Johan Santana (3-2)
• 05/11/2008 - Johnny Cueto (2-3) - Oliver Perez (2-3)

Mets.com:

Shea’s days numbered: Nos. 69-60

Pagan day-to-day with shoulder injury - Anthony DiComo reported that, “An MRI taken on Thursday revealed that Mets outfielder Angel Pagan has a contusion of his left shoulder, the result of his crashing into the stands on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Pagan is day-to-day.”

Newsday:

Pagan has bruised shoulder

THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday lets us know what happened at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on May 9th of another year.

Heilman trying to get back on track for Mets

New York Daily News:

Omar Minaya paying the price - Adam Rubin discusses the Mets‘ bullpen issues.

Willie Randolph’s efforts Met with nonsense early in season - Bob Raissman explains why the Mets fans are acting a bit crazy.

New York Post:

WRIGHT IS WRONG - Bart Hubbuch stated that David Wright’s slump has him searching for answers.

PAGAN DAY-TO-DAY AFTER PAINFUL CATCH IN LA

The Star-Ledger:

Mets have very little fire … and the manager is to blame - Dan Graziano does some Willie bashing.

Pagan day-to-day with bruised shoulder

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For one day, the Metropolitans were able to put it all together.  They came home from their west coast trip with a 3-3 record.   The Mets are sporting a 17-15 record now.  Kinda boring, huh?  It seems like they are always around .500.  My expectations of the ‘08 season are dwindling because they aren’t showing me anything special.  Something isn’t right with the team, and it doesn’t make sense because I thought they had a shot at winning the World Series a month ago.

When I just watched the Giants win the Super Bowl, they did it by having a chip on their shoulder.  They got into that ‘us against the world’ mindset in Week 3 in Washington when they had the goalline stand, and they carried it through the Playoffs.

The Mets don’t have that chip on their shoulder, and they should because they never won anything yet.  Except their division in 2006.  When Beltran stared at strike three in game 7 of the NLCS, the team should’ve had a chip on their shoulder to do it again in 2007 and gone even further.  That didn’t happen because of the collapse.  By now, they should have a chip on their shoulder for ‘06 and ‘07, but they appear content playing .500 ball.  These are the four players that have been in the lineup since 2006: Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, and Wright.  These are the players that should have the most to prove now.  Beltran declared that the Mets are the team to beat, but hasn’t backed it up on the field.  Delgado appears to be in the twilight of his career.  He was bored in ‘07 with a .259 average, and it’s even worse now.  Reyes has all of the skills in the world, but he appears to be too soft mentally to play the game.  Wright has been the only one of these four to play at a high level consistentely since ‘06.  On the mound, the Mets mostly have the same rotation: Martinez, Hernandez, Perez, and Maine.  Pedro and El Duque have barely pitched since going on the DL a few days prior to the Playoffs in 2006.  Perez has remained inconsistent since then, and Maine has improved a great deal since then.  These players need to communicate how pissed off they are for not winning the World Series in ‘06 and/or ‘07 in order to motivate them to play at the highest level each and every game.  Nothing less than the best should be tolerated.

Mets.com:

Beltran waiting for something to click

Mets run on all cylinders in LA blowout - Anthony DiComo summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.

Mets return home, aim to impress fans - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for Friday’s game between the Reds and the Mets.

Mets cautious with Pagan after catch - Anthony DiComo reported that Angel Pagan will have an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury.

El Duque cleared for next step - Anthony DiComo informed us that Orlando Hernandez had the protective boot removed.  He will begin a rehab program soon.

Beltran fights flu, returns to Mets’ lineup

Mets falter against Dodgers - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.

Mets anticipating Castillo surge - Anthony DiComo wrote up a pregame analysis for today’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.

Boras: Perez, Mets on good terms

Newsday:

Mets’ bats wake up, back Maine in rout of Dodgers - David Lennon also summarized today’s Mets-Dodgers game.

Maine goes into 9th on eve of 27th birthday

Mets’ Pagan may have to pay for hard-nosed play

Mets fall to Dodgers, 5-4 - David Lennon also summarized last night’s Mets-Dodgers game.

Mets’ Martinez shows some progress

Agent Boras shows up to support Mets’ Perez

New York Daily News:

John Maine dominant as Mets deck Dodgers in Los Angeles

Angel Pagan hits seats and maybe DL

Ryan Church brushes off Brad Penny’s brushback

Inside-the-park homer, strikeouts doom Mets in loss to Dodgers

Omar Minaya sees Pedro’s progress

New York Post:

AMAZIN’S AWAKE FROM LUMBER SLUMBER

PAGAN HURTS SHOULDER AFTER GREAT CATCH

METS, MAINE MAUL DODGERS - Bart Hubbuch summarized yesterday’s Mets-Dodgers game.

IT’S AN INSIDE JOB - Bart Hubbuch describes the inside the park home run that Blake DeWitt hit on Wednesday night.

WISE WILL SHAKE UP WILLIE’S PEN

New York Times:

Hitting the Wall and the Ball, the Mets Lack for Nothing

Randolph Preaches Patience While Rotation Tests His

The Star-Ledger:

Mets put it all together

acrobatic catch bangs up Pagan

Final: Mets 12, Dodgers 1

Church can’t corral ball as Mets drop another

Dodgers catch Mets napping

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The Mets are getting set to play their final home game of this 9-game home stand against the Nats tonight.  We’ll be bringing you the game summary next.

Mets.com:

Pedro optimistic about return date - Yesterday, Omar Minaya stated that he expects Pedro Martinez to return in late May or early June.  According to Marty Noble, Pedro said this today, “I am surprised with the way I am recovering. It’s going much faster than I thought. Everything is moving smoothly. The Mets know that I’m working and that I will not abandon them. I don’t want it to be a long wait like everybody thinks.”  Pedro always tells everybody that everything is fine.  As we have seen for a few years already, it isn’t true.

Reyes finds his smile as Mets cruise - Marty Noble tells us how Carlos Beltran’s pep talk fired up Jose Reyes.

Figueroa follows in Pelfrey’s footsteps - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Yankees, Mets most valuable franchises - Bryan Hoch wrote, “The Yankees’ value increased to $1.306 billion over the past year, a rise of nine percent, while the Mets were second at $824 million, the magazine said Wednesday. The Red Sox were third at $816 million.”

Casanova ‘earns’ coveted a-Trophy - Marty Noble tells us how Raul Casanova is doing so far in ‘08, and he tells us why MLB.com awarded Casanova with the a-Trophy.

Newsday:

Reyes homers, celebrates like old self as Mets win

Reliever Smith has another strong night for Mets - On how Joe Smith pitched last night, Roderick Boone captured the thought’s of Willie Randolph.

Mets doing everything to keep Castillo on field - Jim Baumbach wrote, “The soreness in Luis Castillo’s right knee has not gone away, so the Mets are left to figure out ways to keep Castillo on the field without aggravating the knee.”  Back in the winter, when Omar gave Luis Castillo a 4-year deal, I believe I remember Castillo stating that he was 100% healthy.  So what’s the problem now?  Did he lie to Omar?  If he did then Omar should burn the contract.

Forbes: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox worth most

New York Daily News:

Homers lift Mets and John Maine past Nationals at Shea

Investigators believe Mets fan who fell from escalator was perched on rail

Carlos Beltran says loosen up, then has blast of own for Mets

Pedro: See you real soon

On Jackie Robinson night, David Wright and Mike Pelfrey lead Mets over Nats

New York Post:

THE BEL TOLLS - Mark Hale describes Beltran’s pep talk with Reyes.

SMITH BAILS OUT MAINE, AMAZIN’S

MAINE HAS SOME ISSUES WITH WALKS

METS LOOKING ALL WRIGHT - Justin Terranova summarized last night’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

New York Times:

Revised Batting Order Changes Dynamic for Mets

Police Say Fan Lost Balance Sliding on Handrail

The Star-Ledger:

No Beltran Tonight - David Waldstein provided the lineups for tonight’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Binghamton Mets to honor Giants’ Chris Snee - Jeremy Cothran noted, “If you’re in the Binghamton area (and I don’t know why you would be), you can swing by this Sunday to see the B-Mets honor Giants OL Chris Snee.”

Pedro plans on a surprise

The ‘old’ Reyes returns - We all saw it the last two games.

Church rips another lefty - Jeremy Cothran tells us how Ryan Church is doing against lefties so far this year.

Final: Mets 5, Nationals 2

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With Pedro on the DL and with El Duque out indefinitely, Omar Minaya felt like he had to bring in a starter ASAP.  Minaya signed RHP Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract today.  Vargas, 29, was released by the Brewers on March 25 earlier this spring which means that he was available.  In his career, Claudio is 43-38 with a 4.95 ERA in 153 games.  This isn’t a spectacular signing, but it is a body…And bodies are what the Mets need right now.

Mets.com:

Robinson’s legacy a major part of Citi - Anthony DiComo noted that Major League Baseball has chosen to anchor its Jackie Robinson Day festivities at Shea Stadium this year.  Am I the only person that doesn’t understand why the Dodgers doesn’t handle all of Jackie Robinson’s festivities?  Am I the only person that doesn’t understand how it defaulted to the Mets?  From the retired number to the 50th Anniversary to the festivities, I don’t understand it at all.  I know Robinson played for the Dodgers in NY fifty years ago.  Is there any other player in the majors that has another organization celebrate his achievements?  Please let me know if you know the answer.

Patient Mets end Phillies’ hex at Shea - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s game between the Phillies and the Mets.

Mets take aim at series win over Phils - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Mets.

El Duque suffers setback with hurt foot - Anthony DiComo reported that Orlando Hernandez suffered a tendon strain in his right foot, and he has to wear a protective boot for about two weeks.  DiComo believes that El Duque may still be months away.

Randolph hopes to share No. 42 tribute - Anthony DiComo pointed out that Willie Randolph wore No. 42 during last month’s annual Jackie Robinson Day, but Willie would rather a player on his team wears it during next week’s Jackie Robinson Day festivities.

Mets play it safe with Castillo - Anthony DiComo reported that Luis Castillo will most likely not play tonight against the Phillies.  Castillo is still listed as day-to-day.

Newsday:

Mets’ Castillo to miss a “couple” more days

Duque out; Vargas on way in? - David Lennon reported that the Mets may sign Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract due to the status of El Duque.  Last night, SNY stated that the Mets may sign Vargas as soon as today.

Give Phillies most of the credit for Mets’ win

Pelfrey gets win; Mets helped by sloppy Phils

New York Daily News:

Bumbling Phils make it easy for Mets

Bruntlett comes up short for Phillies

Knee has Luis Castillo in tight spot

Mets snap Phillies’ dominant streak

New York Post:

NOW THAT’S MORE LIKE IT

THIS WIN WAS JIMMY-RIGGED

VARGAS MAY NOT BE FAR OFF

TIME OFF IS WHAT CASTILLO NEEDS

SLOPPY PHILS HELP SNAP AMAZIN’ SKID

New York Times:

For One Night at Least, Mets and Phillies Trade Places

The Star-Ledger:

Mets sign RHP Claudio Vargas - Joel Magaraci reported that the Mets signed Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract.  Vargas will report to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., before joining Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League.  Vargas hopefully will eat some innings due to the loses of Pedro and El Duque.

It’s ugly, but Mets take it

El Duque shut down; Vargas deal close

Mets Win.

What’s that smell? - Dan Graziano explains how poorly both teams played last night.

Mets close to signing Claudio Vargas

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Tonight’s game might not take place due to tornado warnings in and around Atlanta.  They mentioned that the start will most likely be delayed, but they will try to squeeze it in between storms.  This means they may not get enough innings in to make it a game.  I hope they play because I’m looking forward to the pitching dual between John Maine and Tim Hudson.  I’m really excited about these two three-game sets between the NL East rivals that are supposed to be Playoff contenders.  Play ball!

Mets.com:

Mets-Braves series to set tone in East

Shea family to be honored at home - Anthony DiComo noted that, “The Mets will honor the legacy of William A. Shea in a ceremony before their final home opener at Shea Stadium on Tuesday. Thirty members of the Shea family will be on hand to help unveil a new Shea logo, which will hang alongside the team’s three retired numbers, and travel with the Mets to Citi Field next season.”

Glavine to face former mates on FOX - Mark Bowman pointed out that Tom Glavine will pitch against the Mets on Saturday, and Bowman captured Glavine’s thoughts about facing his former team.  I only remember Tommy beating the Braves once as a Met so it’s a good thing he’s not pitching for us this weekend.

El Duque makes Minors rehab start - Marty Noble explains how Orlando Hernandez pitched last night in a Minor League start.

Newsday:

Minaya in no hurry to go outside for rotation help

After great spring, Mets’ Maine starts tonight - David Lennon points out that John Maine is making his 2008 debut tonight against the Braves.

New York Daily News:

Under any name, it’ll still be Shea

Mets, Yanks obsessed with farewells

Brave new world for Glavine, Gotay

El Duque may fill in for Pedro

New York Post:

HERE COMES THE REAL SEASON - Bart Hubbuch is looking forward to the Mets-Braves series this weekend.

WAIVING HAS GOTAY STEAMING - If I was a Met, and they traded me to the Braves I’d be pretty pissed too.  Who would ever want to listen to that tomahawk chop crap?

NEXT WEEK BRINGS AMAZIN’ TEST - Mike Vaccaro wants to know where the Mets will be after playing the Braves and the Phillies.

FIGUEROA CAPS HAPPY JOURNEY BACK TO BIGS

New York Times:

As Goes Maine, So Mets Could Go This Season

The Star-Ledger:

Bunkered down at Turner Field - Jeremy Cothran tells us about the tornado warnings expected tonight in Atlanta.

Mets’ John Maine striving to join baseball’s elite

El Duque solid in rehab stint

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In the bottom of the 9th, a single to right by Raul Arroyo drove in the winning run.  It’s always nice to see the Mets beat the Braves.  Even more so in the regular season, and even more so in the Playoffs.

Eight years later, A-Rod is upset about turning down the Mets offer.  Too bad for him.  He’s such a phony that I don’t think he has feelings.  He just wants Mets fans to love him.  Screw that…  He’s a Yankee, and he should worry about Yankees fans loving him.  Try winning a championship already.

Mets.com:

Arroyo lifts Mets past Braves - Marty Noble summarized today’s game between the Braves and the Mets.  New York beat Atlanta 5-4.  Jonathon Niese got the start on the mound.  The Mets are 18-9-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

What’s in a name for Mets? - Marty Noble discusses Port St. Lucie since the Mets showed up to town in 1988.

Maine looks ready to meet his goals - Anthony DiComo captured John Maine’s goals for ‘08 which are pitching 200 innings and a Playoff berth.

Top Mets arms done with spring games - Anthony DiComo covered the story about Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez not pitching anymore in Grapefruit League games which the New York Post reported yesterday.  The only difference in the story is that DiComo stated that Maine may not pitch in the Grapefruit League anymore either.

Newsday:

Heilman seems at ease with setup role for Mets - Jim Baumbach noted Aaron Heilman’s contributions to the Mets.

Maine continues to pitch well for Mets - Jim Baumbach points out how Maine has dominated the Grapefruit League this year.  Baumbach also reported that Omar Minaya planned to have discussions with team officials regarding Reed Johnson because “the cost is not that much.”

New York Daily News:

A-Rod regrets saying no to Mets, doesn’t make same mistake with Yankees - I would like to thank Alex Rodriguez for not coming to the Mets.  Shortstop was the weakest link offensively when Rey Ordenez was at short so A-Rod would have been a huge upgrade.  But, when a guy who wants his own hotel, plane, locker room, and $250 million he is not a team player.  A-Rod is one of the biggest dusch bags in the game so I’m glad the Yankees locked him up for 10 years and nobody else has to deal with him.  He’s robotic.  Until resigning with the Yankees, he never left a dime on the table to pay anywhere he wants.  So he doesn’t need to whine about it now.  Do not even attempt to get Mets fans to feel sorry for you because we’re not buying it.  On a sidenote, how do people that don’t help teams win championships get paid more than the ones that do?  I mean key players not bench players.

John Maine locks up spot in rotation

Improvement is a relief to Joe Smith - Adam Rubin pointed out that Joe Smith’s performances are “steadily improving”.

New York Post:

METS’ MAINE MAN IS COMIN’ UP ACES

BROOKLYN NATIVE GOING LIVE AT FIVE - Bart Hubbuch believes that Nelson Figueroa is picking up steam as a fifth-starter candidate.

New York Times:

Mets Commit to 5-Man Rotation, No Matter What

The Star-Ledger:

Game 26: Mets vs Braves - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup for today’s game between the Braves and the Mets.

A-Rod Just Won’t Go Away

Figueroa may take the fifth for Mets

Standing ovation for Maine

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Lastings Milledge was the last National that was a former Met to complain about his former team.  Paul Lo Duca is another National that was a former Mets to take shots at his former team.  The media shouldn’t even hand these guys a microphone.  Milledge is a classless scumbag, and Lo Duca is a steroid user.  Both of them should figure out why they are not on the Mets anymore.  They can begin by looking in the mirror.  Nobody cares what they have to say so say nothing at all.

Mets.com:

Mailbag: Alternatives to Delgado? - Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans’ questions.

Off-day won’t be quiet for Mets - Marty Noble lists the tasks that the Mets would like to accomplish during their off-day.

Newsday:

Lo Duca, Milledge still have issues with Mets - Does anybody care what these guys have to say?

Businesses near Shea bracing for uncertain future -With the days until Citi Field opens counting down, Wallace Matthews discusses the fight between the business owners of the Queens’ Iron Triangle and the potential business owners of what could be a beautiful area in Queens.

Mets’ injured Valentin is mulling retirement - David Lennon is following up on an article that Anthony Rieser of Newsday wrote about on Saturday.  Omar Minaya said that the Jose Valentin situation is ”not that desperate”.

New York Daily News:

Paul Lo Duca can’t mask irritation with Omar Minaya and wounded feelings - Paul Lo Duca was quoted as saying this about the Mets letting him go,

Anytime in your lifetime that you’re not wanted, it’s tough. I was vocal that I wanted to stay in New York, but with the way that the offseason went, I’m glad I’m not there. I hate to say that, but they went through three guys and I never got a phone call. I wasn’t wanted, obviously. So, I’m human. I’m glad.

Maybe if Lo Duca did things the right way, he’d still be in New York.  Steroid users shouldn’t be able to control the situation.  They should be lucky that they’re still playing because I would throw them the hell out if I was the Commissioner.

After birth of son, Ryan Church takes own baby steps - Adam Rubin lets us know how Ryan Church did against the Nationals on his first day back from a three-day paternity leave.

For Jose Valentin, pain in neck may spell end of career

New York Post:

METS TOOK LO ROAD

NECK’S NAGGING VALENTIN

New York Times:

Hard Feelings Emerge as Mets Face Lo Duca

The Star-Ledger:

A Simulated Off-Day

It’s Delgado, For Better or Worse - Matthew Artus pointed out how dismal of a Spring Training Carlos Delgado has had, which led Artus to question what type of season Delgado will have.

Injured Valentin hints about retiring

Ex-Met seeks revenge

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The Mets picked up another ’w’ to give them their 10th in Spring Training.  The Amazins’ are playing .625 ball right now.  The regular season is right around the corner so let’s hope the Mets can continue to play hot baseball.  We learned from last season that a 7 game wasn’t enough so I hope the Mets stomp the NL and get to a 14 game lead in 2008.

Mets.com:

Cancel, Maine lead Mets past Marlins - Joe Frisaro summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Marlins.  The Mets beat the Marlins 8-2.  John Maine got the start.  The Mets are 10-6-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Beltran boasts new level of happiness - Marty Noble pointed out how different Carlos Beltran is after having a baby.

Injuries continue to hang over Mets - Marty Noble lets us know how the Mets are handling the injuries.

Newsday:

Mets’ Schneider may miss start of season

Mets will host All-Star Game, likely in 2013

Mets’ Pelfrey hasn’t done enough to earn a spot - Anthony Rieber feels like Mike Pelfrey hasn’t done enough to make Willie Randolph’s decision difficult.  I agree with Anthony, but I also don’t feel like El Duque hasn’t done anything either.  El Duque has only expressed how good he feels.  All along, I never felt like Pelfrey was going to be a great starter even though all of my friends that are Mets fans love him.  I say let Pelfrey start, find out what he’s got, and keep him or trade him after this season depending on his performance.  Give the kid a real shot.  Rieber also noted that Omar Minaya received the Peace Maker Award from Seeds of Peace, a non-profit organization, last night in Manhattan.

Beltran tests knees, Schneider sits out for Mets - Anthony Rieber expresses his thoughts on Betran in centerfield yesterday, and he also mentioned that Brian Schneider needs a few more days off due to a tug in his right hamstring.

New York Daily News:

Carlos Beltran tries legs in center

Mets may wait on El Duque - Adam Rubin also believes that El Duque is going to win the battle for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Mets’ and Yanks’ fields of green

New York Post:

PAGAN GOES FROM LEFT OUT TO LEFT FIELD

DOC AND SON TAKING RAP - Kevin Kernan lets us know what Dwight Gooden is up to.

METS TO HOST ALL-STAR GAME

CARLOS PLAYS CENTER

New York Times:

Having a Baby Helps Beltrán Leave His Shell

The Star-Ledger:

Game 17: Mets at Marlins - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for today’s game between the Mets and the Marlins.

Mets Battery Needs Recharging

Beltran patrols outfield, then deals with the pain

Pelfrey lacks command, fights through shaky outing

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The Mets lost 6-5 to the Cardinals today in 10.  I don’t like when the Mets lose to the Cards, but it’s only Spring Training.  Pelfrey isn’t looking as sharp as he did in his first couple of starts, but his pitch count has gone up too which shouldn’t matter.

The best Mets article of the day was “Joke’s on Castillo, but he isn’t laughing” by Marty Noble.

Mets.com:

Pelfrey limits damage in loss to Cards - Matthew Leach summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Cardinals.  The Cards beat the Mets 6-5.  Mike Pelfrey got the start.  The Mets are 9-5-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

New Mets park a friend to environment - Howard Kussoy stated that the Mets joined with the EPA to help Citi Field save water and energy.

Minor League Report: Mike Carp - The Mets invited Mike Carp to training camp last week to be a left-handed hitter against Pedro Martinez in his simulated game.

Joke’s on Castillo, but he isn’t laughing - Marty Noble wrote this about Luis Castillo,

By the fourth inning, Luis Castillo retreated to the Mets’ clubhouse, passed by a mirror and discovered the reasons for the behind-his-back giggles and grins in the dugout on Wednesday. He had been wearing a crown of pink bubble gum atop his cap — the first bubble lasted for two innings, then came a second, then a third and then a plastic cup attached to the gum.

The other players were probably jealous that Castillo got a 4-year contract without even being able to walk to the batters box last season.

Newsday:

Mets looking for outfielder; how about Endy? - Anthony Rieber pointed out that Omar Minaya says the Mets still have Endy Chavez to play left field.  I have no problem with Chavez or Pagan.

El Duque shows off new windup in simulated game - Anthony Rieber said that El Duque got hit hard while trying out his new windup.  Hernandez said “I feel good. I’m happy. More close to a real game. I think I feel good, I think very good.”  Orlando is expected to make his first Spring Training start on Sunday.

New York Daily News:

Mets emerge as probable host for 2013 All-Star game - That’s great for the Mets and NYC.  People don’t really watch that stuff, but at least the stadium and the city will get to host it.

Orlando Hernandez kicks into gear - Adam Rubin tells us how Hernandez felt after pitching in a simulated game.

Luis Castillo delays return; Mets nix Angel Pagan rumor - Adam Rubin noted that Castillo is now planning on returning on Saturday.

• The Mets dismissed the Coco Crisp rumor.
• Jose Reyes said he has officially retired the “Profesor Reyes” skits at Shea Stadium.

 New York Post:

EL DUQUE’S KICK START

DUANER FEELS VERY RELIEVED - After pitching one inning against the Orioles, Duaner Sanchez said “This is the best that I’ve felt since the accident. It felt like I’d never had surgery on my arm today.”

New York Times:

New Delivery for Hernández Gives Him a Leg to Stand On

The Star-Ledger:

Game No. 16: Mets at Cardinals - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for today’s game between the Mets and the Cards.

El Duque: For Better or Worse? - Matthew Artus wonders if he wants El Duque on the Mets in 2008.

El Duque puts best foot forward

Pagan remains red-hot

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So even though the Mets have been devastated by a wrath of injuries, they managed to win 5 straight games.  It kind of went unnoticed.  Most of them came from late inning heroics.  The Mets are losing to the Indians right now by a score of 8-6 in the 8th inning.  Oliver Perez got the start, and didn’t pitch so well.  Maybe the Mets have another comeback in them…

Mets.com:

Notes: Anderson, Easley good to go - Anthony DiComo noted that Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley are healthy and ready to return.

Minor League Report: Robert Parnell - Anthony DiComo provided a Bio about a right-hander named Robert Parnell.

Pedro to throw sim game on Friday - Anthony DiComo stated that Pedro Martinez will pitch in a simulated game today because yesterday’s game got rained out.

Newsday:

Injury-riddled Mets looking to plug holes - David Lennon chatted with Omar Minaya about the possible replacements for Moises Alou.  Here is what Lennon wrote:

“We’ve already identified teams that have outfield situations that have surpluses,” Minaya said, “and we’ll keep an eye on those.”

The Mets have talked about a possible deal for the Tigers’ Marcus Thames. The Pirates’ Xavier Nady, a solid righthanded bat and a former Met, would be a good fit. On the free-agent front, Kenny Lofton remains unsigned, but Minaya chuckled when someone brought up Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa. “It’s fair to say we’ll go with someone internal right now,” Minaya said.

Pedro spared from rare spring road start by rain

All of Mets’ injuries might hurt Minaya

New York Daily News:

Omar Minaya: No time for Mets to panic

Met spin adds insult to injury - Bob Raissman doesn’t like what the Mets are feeding him about the status of their team.

Omar Minaya: Subs will do just fine - It did not bother me when the Mets re-signed Alou, but it bothers me that they don’t have a legit backup for him knowing he gets hurt all of the time.

Pedro outing rained out

New York Post:

REIGN IN SPRING - Joel Sherman says that the healthy Martinez is stealing the show in Spring Training.

PEP TALK HAS SANCHEZ EAGER TO GET BACK ON MOUND - Bart Hubbuch pointed out that Pedro gave Duaner Sanchez a pep talk during lunch this week.  Now, Sanchez is expected to pitch this weekend.

MARTINEZ DEBUT DELAYED

PLAY IT COOL - Bart Hubbuch also wrote about the Mets lack of desire to resolve the injury issues.

New York Times:

Left-Field Question Has the Mets Looking for an Answer

Glavine Says Devastation Isn’t the Word - After a disappointing finale with the Mets, Tom Glavine is happy to be back in a Braves uniform.  I bet he is.  He was a Brave all along.  How many times did he beat the Braves head-to-head?  It seemed like once.  Makes me wonder…

The Star-Ledger:

Health improvements - Lisa Kennelly provided a few quick hits about the Mets.

DON’T PANIC - Matthew Artus tells us why we should not panic about what’s happening to the Mets down in Port St. Lucie.

Mets weigh OF options

Pedro’s first start washed out by rain

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