Veteran righty Bartolo Colon left his start tonight after just four pitches when he was struck on his pitching thumb by a comebacker. Fortunately, x-rays were negative, suggesting that the team may have dodged a bullet. A lengthy absence from Colon would represent a blow to a club that is already dealing with some significant injury questions.
Here’s more from Queens:
- The hope has long been that Zack Wheeler would re-enter the picture this summer, adding another quality arm to a stacked rotation. His status could take on renewed importance if Colon is down, but we heard earlier today that he may now be on hold. Wheeler has been “backed down” from his pitching program after experiencing elbow discomfort, as Mike Puma of the New York Post was among those to report on Twitter. GM Sandy Alderson says that it’s not yet clear how concerning the issue is, with Wheeler set to be examined further tomorrow (via Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, on Twitter).
- Third base remains arguably the biggest area of concern for New York, and Alderson said today that the club intends to host a private workout with Cuban star Yulieski Gurriel, as David Lennon of Newsday was among those to tweet. Widely regarded as the best Cuban player of his generation, the infielder was recently declared a free agent at an opportune time for clubs in need of a third or perhaps a second baseman. MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk examined the potential market for Gurriel earlier today, listing the Mets among many teams that could conceivably match up with the 32-year-old.
- First baseman Lucas Duda has yet to advance to baseball activities, Rubin tweets. He has been limited thus far to bike exercise as he tries to recover from a lower back stress fracture. James Loney has filled in adequately thus far, with a .279/.329/.412 batting line in 74 plate appearances.
- As the Mets weigh a move for infielder Jose Reyes — who is said to prefer a return himself (via Mike Puma of the New York Post, on Twitter) — Rubin reports that Alderson has hinted that Reyes’s ugly domestic violence incident will weigh into the equation. “We always evaluate talent and character,” said Alderson (who was understandably addressing the issue obliquely). “There’s a balance. With respect to issues of character, those are things we take a look at. Those are things we don’t ignore and are always taken into account when we make a player-acquisition decision.”
While I don’t condone violence, if Jose has made piece with his girlfriend and has taken steps to prevent this behavior in the future, isn’t it fair to judge him on what he does on the field? I say most of us deserve a second chance to rise above our mistakes. The first mistake was Jose ever leaving
His defence has been trash since he left new york, he let numerous routine balls go through his legs last season while he was a blue jay
Piece* and defense*
Peace**
Sure, you can judge Jose Reyes based on his on-field performance, but that ain’t gonna help. He’s one of the worst SS in baseball right now. He’s a tolerable bench bat and has some speed left (good SB% with Toronto in ’14-’15), but he can’t hit like he used to and can’t play a lick of defense.
His skills are useful in a reserve role for many teams still, but the problem with the Mets signing him is that their fans will expect an MVP=caliber player, which Reyes never was and sure as heck isn’t today. Realistically he’s probably a .270/.312/.370 kind of guy right now, and a 2B at best on the field.
i don’t know if it was a typo, but goddamn do i love your extremely precise prediction of what his OBP would be.
also, the only reason i’d see reyes as a decent pickup for the mets would be if he would be play 2B and neil walker was able to play 3B. but at the same time, if you’re going to try and get someone to play second and put walker at third, i’d rather see dilson herrera.
If it doesn’t cost them a lot I say try. He’d play 2nd. I also remember he didn’t want to go to the Blue Jays and even worse the Rockies. Perhaps that has something to do with his decline. Sure if was still a Met a decline would be natural. But I see him happy to be back with a contender, in NY and perhaps turn it around somewhat
I’d be a bit more inclined to move on somewhat if he had done anything more than give the meekest possible apology, but sure, I believe in second chances. Doesn’t mean you totally forget the past, though.
Without a doubt, Reyes has some major character flaws and it would be a risk for any team to realistically add him to their roster, especially this late in the season.
With that in mind, does the Matt Duffy injury potentially give the Giants a chance to overlook his poor morality and become more interested in signing him (on most likely a cheap deal)?
Cole Gillespie did have 4 hits tonight as Duffy’s replacement but his defense at 3rd is average at best. Kelby Tomlinson is questionable on defense as well and has incredibly limited power. Reyes makes a lot of sense for many different reasons
Don’t think the need is pressing enough in San Francisco. And I don’t know that many teams are going to see Reyes as much more than a solid veteran utility guy or fill-in, quite aside from the other issues.
The G.O.A.T left 🙁
Just a few days ago I said I wouldn’t trade for Wheeler coming off TJS. Many met fans said that Wheeler is worth way to much to ever trade him. He will be better than ever. Arm injuries to pitchers is very bad and you never know when they get hurt again and again.
Exactly right. This is why as a Yankee fan I laugh when people (mostly Yankee haters but some several fans) when they said Tanaka should have gotten TJS so he should return to form and be an ace again. For every pitcher that returns to form from TJS, there is another pitcher who is never the same again and/or another who needs another TJS shortly after.
I follow discussions on here and haven’t noticed people making that guarantee. I think you might be exaggerating quite a bit.
I can also see how people might not want to trade a once-promising player when he is coming back from injury, b/c his value is at his lowest.
Take a look back and you will see many of them saying Wheeler was worth to much in a trade for a good player. When I noted that many do not come back I had a few that said now they do come back. Not many pitchers come back 100% from TJS.
Sandy should call up Stearns quick before the deadline gets too close to work out a small trade for Aaron Hill. Hill has been solid all season for the Brewers at 3B and could be the Mets’ stop gap at the hot corner for the postseason run. It wouldn’t take much to get him (maybe a low level 15-20 prospect) and I’m sure the Brewers would cover majority of the money on his contract. Possibly Wotell or Szapucki would be enough to get it done.
Cash strapped Mets could only sign Gurriel if ha wanted to play in New York with Cespedes.
Posting two Mets stories in a row is a good way to alienate to smart people.