Baseball Guru
05-11-2003, 10:00 PM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20030511&content_id=314923&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Reliever has aggravated an old injury
By Patrick Mulrenin / MLB.com
Scott Strickland may be placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday. (AP)
NEW YORK -- Scott Strickland's strained right groin may force the Mets to juggle their roster as they prepare for a three-game series in Colorado starting Monday.
Mets manager Art Howe said that he would like to have seven relievers available in the Mile High City. The Mets called up right-hander Pat Strange from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday to fill out the bullpen.
Another move may be necessary though, as Strickland departed Saturday's game after aggravating a groin problem that has been bothering him for a while.
Howe had not seen Strickland when he addressed the media before Sunday's game at Shea Stadium against the Padres, but said there is a possibility that Strickland could be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
"He's a possible DL," Howe said. "I know he doesn't want it, but we'll put our heads together with the training staff and the doctor and see what the evaluation is."
Strickland walked gingerly through the clubhouse Sunday, telling anyone that asked that he felt okay, but not great. He also reiterated what he said Saturday that he does not want to go on the disabled list.
If Howe and the medical staff decide that Strickland won't be able to pitch this week and he goes on the DL, look for the Mets to recall a reliever. The team brought up Jason Middlebrook and Strange within a week and both have experience pitching out of the bullpen. Left-handers Mike Bacsik and Jamie Cerda, both of whom started the season in New York, are candidates to be recalled.
Dan Wheeler has been Norfolk's top reliever, going 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA (three earned runs/19 innings) in 12 appearances. But it is unlikely that he will be brought to the Majors because he is not on the Mets' 40-man roster.
"I went to one more [pitcher than the usual 11] because we're going to Colorado," Howe said. "You can always do without [a 12th pitcher], but I'd rather have too much pitching going into Colorado than not enough. Stranger things have happened though. We may get three complete games."
If it ain't broke ...: Joe McEwing started at shortstop Sunday, making it the first time that he has started consecutive games this season. On Saturday, McEwing helped spark the Mets' win with his hustle and 3-for-3 performance at the plate. The three hits tied a career-high.
"He gives [us] a lot of energy," Howe said. "Once they go out on the field, he's moving around. He plays at a certain level, a different level. He did a great job yesterday, made all of the plays at short and had three knocks. What more could you ask for?"
During Howe's first two years as a player for the Pirates in 1974 and '75, his manager, Danny Murtaugh, would stick with a player until he cooled off. That is the same mentality that Howe has used throughout his managerial career.
"If we can get on a run, whomever is part of it, will stay a part of it," Howe said.
Rey Sanchez had his swollen left thumb wrapped prior to Sunday's game. Howe said that he was not sure if Sanchez would be able to hit or play the field because the injury is on his glove hand. The injury occurred Friday night on a headfirst slide.
Did you know? Jae Seo is tied with Montreal's Javier Vazquez for the NL lead in fewest walks per nine innings with 1.4.
This and that: Jay Bell started at third base in place of Ty Wigginton, who is second on the Mets with 35 games played. Roberto Alomar leads the team with 37 games. ... Mo Vaughn leads all active Major Leaguers with six home runs on Mother's Day. The first baseman could not improve upon that mark Sunday, though, as he is on the disabled list with inflammation in his left knee. ... David Cone was scheduled to make his first rehab start with Class A St. Lucie on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. John Franco will join Cone in Florida Monday for his rehab assignment with St. Lucie.
Coming up: The Mets head out West immediately after Sunday's game to start a weeklong road trip in Colorado and San Francisco. Steve Trachsel (0-2, 4.95 ERA) starts Monday against the Rockies' Nelson Cruz (3-3, 6.94).
Reliever has aggravated an old injury
By Patrick Mulrenin / MLB.com
Scott Strickland may be placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday. (AP)
NEW YORK -- Scott Strickland's strained right groin may force the Mets to juggle their roster as they prepare for a three-game series in Colorado starting Monday.
Mets manager Art Howe said that he would like to have seven relievers available in the Mile High City. The Mets called up right-hander Pat Strange from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday to fill out the bullpen.
Another move may be necessary though, as Strickland departed Saturday's game after aggravating a groin problem that has been bothering him for a while.
Howe had not seen Strickland when he addressed the media before Sunday's game at Shea Stadium against the Padres, but said there is a possibility that Strickland could be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
"He's a possible DL," Howe said. "I know he doesn't want it, but we'll put our heads together with the training staff and the doctor and see what the evaluation is."
Strickland walked gingerly through the clubhouse Sunday, telling anyone that asked that he felt okay, but not great. He also reiterated what he said Saturday that he does not want to go on the disabled list.
If Howe and the medical staff decide that Strickland won't be able to pitch this week and he goes on the DL, look for the Mets to recall a reliever. The team brought up Jason Middlebrook and Strange within a week and both have experience pitching out of the bullpen. Left-handers Mike Bacsik and Jamie Cerda, both of whom started the season in New York, are candidates to be recalled.
Dan Wheeler has been Norfolk's top reliever, going 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA (three earned runs/19 innings) in 12 appearances. But it is unlikely that he will be brought to the Majors because he is not on the Mets' 40-man roster.
"I went to one more [pitcher than the usual 11] because we're going to Colorado," Howe said. "You can always do without [a 12th pitcher], but I'd rather have too much pitching going into Colorado than not enough. Stranger things have happened though. We may get three complete games."
If it ain't broke ...: Joe McEwing started at shortstop Sunday, making it the first time that he has started consecutive games this season. On Saturday, McEwing helped spark the Mets' win with his hustle and 3-for-3 performance at the plate. The three hits tied a career-high.
"He gives [us] a lot of energy," Howe said. "Once they go out on the field, he's moving around. He plays at a certain level, a different level. He did a great job yesterday, made all of the plays at short and had three knocks. What more could you ask for?"
During Howe's first two years as a player for the Pirates in 1974 and '75, his manager, Danny Murtaugh, would stick with a player until he cooled off. That is the same mentality that Howe has used throughout his managerial career.
"If we can get on a run, whomever is part of it, will stay a part of it," Howe said.
Rey Sanchez had his swollen left thumb wrapped prior to Sunday's game. Howe said that he was not sure if Sanchez would be able to hit or play the field because the injury is on his glove hand. The injury occurred Friday night on a headfirst slide.
Did you know? Jae Seo is tied with Montreal's Javier Vazquez for the NL lead in fewest walks per nine innings with 1.4.
This and that: Jay Bell started at third base in place of Ty Wigginton, who is second on the Mets with 35 games played. Roberto Alomar leads the team with 37 games. ... Mo Vaughn leads all active Major Leaguers with six home runs on Mother's Day. The first baseman could not improve upon that mark Sunday, though, as he is on the disabled list with inflammation in his left knee. ... David Cone was scheduled to make his first rehab start with Class A St. Lucie on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. John Franco will join Cone in Florida Monday for his rehab assignment with St. Lucie.
Coming up: The Mets head out West immediately after Sunday's game to start a weeklong road trip in Colorado and San Francisco. Steve Trachsel (0-2, 4.95 ERA) starts Monday against the Rockies' Nelson Cruz (3-3, 6.94).