New York Mets News For Thursday 3/22/07

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2007/03/notes_padilla_out_with_sore_el.php

Notes: Padilla Out with Sore Elbow

Juan Padilla has been shut down for two weeks with soreness in his right elbow, the team announced. The Daily News reported today that Padilla had been sent to New York for an examination.

Tom Glavine threw a simulated game. He allowed three runs (two earned) in seven innings, though it was mostly shaky fielding. The big damage came on consecutive doubles to open the three-run fifth by Dustin Martin and Stephen Puhl, the son of former major leaguer Terry.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2007/03/sanchez_aborts_bullpen_session.php

Sanchez Shuts Down Bullpen Session

Duaner Sanchez had to abort his bullpen session after 11 pitches with apparent shoulder discomfort.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/docs/images/03-22-07_0857.jpg

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/03/22/2007-03-22_smith_is_mets_surprise_party-2.html

Smith is Mets' surprise party
Birthday boy is wowing big club, & may join it

BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Thursday, March 22nd 2007, 9:35 AM

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Joe Smith turns 23 today. His true celebration may be 10 days from now, when the Mets christen the 2007 season in St. Louis.

The sidearm reliever has been perhaps the most pleasant development in camp, and is a serious candidate to join the bullpen for the season opener. He's been unscored upon in six of his seven outings, the lone blemish - which accounts for a 1.93 ERA - coming when he allowed three runs (two earned) in two innings Saturday against the Orioles facing a lineup so stacked with lefty hitters that Smith was relieved when righty-hitting former MVP Miguel Tejada came to the plate.

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/03/22/amd_metssmith.jpg
Joe Smith has opened eyes during spring training, and likely will be on Mets when season opens.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2007/03/22/2007-03-22_mets_sanchez_feels_pop_in_shoulder.html

Mets' Sanchez feels pop in shoulder

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, March 22nd 2007, 11:32 AM

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - New York Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez felt a pop in his right shoulder Thursday and cut short his first bullpen session in eight months after 11 pitches.

Sanchez, recovering from shoulder surgery, said he didn't feel significant pain during or after the pitch. He was examined by Dr. Dan Tomlinson, who said scar tissue had broken loose. Sanchez was treated with ice.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/03/22/2007-03-22_zambrano_expresses_met_regret-3.html

Zambrano expresses Met regret

Thursday, March 22nd 2007, 4:00 AM

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Victor Zambrano isn't upset at the Mets for not bringing him back this season. He just wishes he could have lived up to the expectations of a pitcher acquired for Scott Kazmir - the top Mets prospect turned Devil Rays All-Star - and hinted that he may never have been truly healthy during his tenure in Flushing.

"They made a big trade for me, and the years I was there, it was really hard for me to prove it was really good after the trade," Zambrano told the Daily News at Blue Jays camp, where the righthander has given up just one run in 9-2/3 innings as he tries to make the team after signing a minor-league contract in January.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03222007/sports/mets/another_good_outing_for_oliver_mets_mark_hale.htm

ANOTHER GOOD OUTING FOR OLIVER
By MARK HALE

March 22, 2007 -- VERO BEACH, Fla. - Oliver Perez isn't serving up many hits in his outings.

Perez was stellar in the Mets' 6-2 win over the Dodgers last night, permitting one unearned run on four hits in six innings. He's given up nine hits in his last 15 innings.

If it works out, Tom Glavine, who has 290 victories, would like to see if his friend, John Smoltz, can attend his 300th win this season.

Glavine said he will know at least four days ahead of time if he's in position to get his 300th, and if Smoltz isn't scheduled to pitch at the same time, Glavine potentially could call his buddy and ask him if he wants to come see it.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03222007/sports/mets/five_alive_mets_mark_hale.htm

FIVE ALIVE
PELFREY HAS GOOD SHOT AT ROTATION
By MARK HALE

March 22, 2007 -- VERO BEACH, Fla. - Paul Lo Duca said he believes Mike Pelfrey's trail to being an elite pitcher might not be a very long one.

"He's very, very close to being really dominant," the Mets catcher said yesterday. "I think he's on his way."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03222007/photos/sports098.jpg
SPEED DEMON: Jose Reyes steals second base as Dodger second baseman Ramon Martinez comes up with the ball during the first inning of last night's 6-2 Met victory. Reyes was 3-for-3 with three stolen bases.

[GaryMrMets]

New York Mets Postgame Alert March 22, 2007

N.Y. Mets 1, Atlanta 7 at Disney's Wide World of Sports
N.Y. Mets Record: (8-15)
Atlanta Record: (12-8)

Winning pitcher - John Smoltz (1-0)
Losing pitcher - Scott Schoeneweis (1-1)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
N.Y. Mets 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 1
Atlanta 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 0 X 7 8 0

NYM HR - None
ATL HR - T. Pena (1)

Next N.Y. Mets Game: March 23, 2007 01:10 PM ET vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Upcoming N.Y. Mets Home Games:
vs. St. Louis Cardinals, March 23, 2007 01:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. Baltimore Orioles, March 24, 2007 01:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. Houston Astros, March 25, 2007 01:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets