Spring Training Continues, Mets Pester Braves

Written by Colin on March 18, 2009 – 11:23 am

Spring Training Update:

The Braves continue to prepare for the season in Lake Buena Vista. Even with McCann still playing for Team USA and Chipper still recovering from a strained oblique, the Braves have compiled a great record in grapefruit league play. They’ve won 10 out of their last 11 games, including yesterday’s game where Jair Jurrjens pitched six innings with six strikeouts and only four hits allowed. It should be noted that the Braves’ starting pitching has compiled a great 2.09 ERA during the last 11 games – continuing their stellar performance this spring.

It should be noted that the Braves’ record in spring training doesn’t mean anything. After all, while the Braves are missing Chipper and McCann, other teams are missing their star players. One good thing is that with McCann gone, the Braves’ pitchers are getting used to the backup catcher, Dave Ross.

In injury news, Garret Anderson was cleared to run after sitting out 12 days with a strained right calf. Chipper is back with the team and aggressively treating the oblique issue he’s facing. Chipper is optimistic about the injury not lasting all season and hindering his playing time. I’m just a little concerned, though, because he’s had similar issues in the past. Are you concerned about Chipper?

World Baseball Classic thoughts:

Team USA advanced to the semifinals to play Venezuela after beating Puerto Rico yesterday on David Wright’s bottom of the ninth heroics, but the real story is the cronyism here. Note that Carlos Beltran robbed Brian McCann of a home run earlier in the game, and that that home run would have made David Wright’s heroics unnecessary. Now note that David Wright and Carlos Beltran play for the same team – the Braves’ division rival Mets, and I believe the cronyism I referenced previously has been established. We’ll get you back soon, Mets.


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The Mets’ Injury Woes?

Written by Colin on March 7, 2008 – 12:26 pm

It’s not September and the Mets are already showing signs of collapse.  Yes, 8 games into the preseason, they’re already facing some issues with their antique roster. Their prize catch, Johan Santana, is healthy and looking good, but beyond that there’s not much good news.

  • Moises Alou will miss the beginning of the season with hernia surgery – out 4-6 weeks
  • Marlon Anderson and Ryan Church banged each other up when they collided in a game earlier this week – Church sustained a concussion and Anderson apparently bruised his chest and banged up his jaw.
  • Carlos Delgado, who had elbow and wrist surgery a couple years ago, and ended last season with a broken hand and some knee/hip issues apparently is having hip issues again.  And by apparently having hip issues, we mean he got sent back to NY for an MRI.
  • Carlos Beltran is having knee trouble – may be just a long recovery from his knee surgery 3 1/2 months ago, but it’s not encouraging news.
  • Pedro apparently had a toe issue, but he pitched a simulated game yesterday, though his pitches lacked movement.

So it’s not September, and the Mets are already showing signs of collapse.  They better hope that these injuries heal up or all the Santana pitching in the world will do little good.  They lose a lot of offensive firepower with Delgado, Alou, and Beltran nursing little bumps and bruises here – and the real hard playing hasn’t even started yet.

Mets fans hate to hear it – but if their aging veterans can’t escape their injured pasts, the Mets may not be a legitimate contestant in the NL East this year.  David Wright can only do so much by himself.


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