SANTANA SUPER: Ace Lefty Johan Santana(2-2,2.75 ERA,1.13 WHIP, .184 Batting average against) tossed his best game of the 2012 season May 26th against the San Diego Padres and appears to close to regaining pre injury form. He pitched a complete game, 4 hit shutout while K-ing and walking none. The southpaw has 4 quality starts(6 innings pitched, 3 runs or loss) in 5 May games and the opposition looks silly at times. Cannot say enough how important this is for the Mets heading forward, particularly with veteran Mike Pelfrey lost for the year due to season ending right elbow surgery.
SHORT AT SS: Throughout the major league season, teams have injuries and quite often at one specific position. Recently, the Boston Red Sox had 7-SEVEN- Outfielders on the disabled list. For the 2012 NY Mets, shortstop appears to be the black hole. Ruben Tejada, the club’s everyday SS, has been on the DL after suffering a quad injury May 6th. His top backup, veteran Ronny Cedeno, has a calf strain and has not played since May 26th. Mets skipper Terry Collins has been playing super sub Justin Turner at the position and in Monday’s May 28th loss to the Phillies, Turner joined the walking wounded. After being caught in a run down in the 3rd inning, the fan favorite collapsed in a heap after touching First Base, grabbing his right leg in pain. The replays did not look good and Collins feared Turner tore his achilles tendon. Initial reports have the injury being a ankle sprain with a 2-3 week recovery time, at the minimum. With Turner out(Placed on the DL post game), Collins was forced to move 3B David Wright to SS for the 2nd time in his career. Post game, the Mets called up SS Omar Quintanilla, who will start until the veterans are back. At Triple-A Buffalo, Quintanilla was hitting .281 with 6 home runs and 27 rbi.
METS NOTES: After his rough outing Monday May 28th, the team designated RHP Manny Acosta for assignment. Although possessing a good arm and action, the veteran has not been getting it done and has been getting hit all over the park(1-2,11.86 ERA, 2.27 WHIP in 19 games). The Mets have recalled Chris Schwinden(0-1,11.25 ERA in 2 games) to fill Acosta’s roster spot…..Wright has “cooled” off after peaking at a .415 Batting average last week, he has gone hitless in 4 straight and is now hitting .373 for the year….LHP Tim Byrdak continues to pitch great and has stranded a ML high 23 inherited runners. The southpaw has been unscored on in 25 of 28 appearances… After 2B Daniel Murphy drove in the only run they needed in the 2-0 win over the Padres May 27th, the Mets have scored 104 runs with 2 outs(as of 5/27/12)…. Interesting story to relate, OF Andres Torres(10+ year Up and down Major Leaguer) recently went to Collins and told him this is the closest, best group of guys he has ever played with. Torres was a key member of the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants… On the injury front, Tejada might be back as early as this weekend according to Collins. Meanwhile, C Josh Thole(concussion) and LHP Chris Young(Arm strength) are both progressing in extended spring training type rehabs. Thole saw live action Monday May 28th for the first time since May 7th. Young threw 6 and third innings,allowing 3 runs and 5 hits while walking none the same day. The Mets plan to have veteran southpaw throw vs either a Triple or Double A club in his next start.