Smoltz Out Longer, Pedro Retiring?

Written by Colin on May 20, 2008 – 9:35 am

John Smoltz has experienced some more pain than expected here recently in bullpen sessions, and has said that he may be out much longer than initially expected.  What does this mean for the Braves?  It means that not only do they have rotation issues for the rest of the season, Smoltz may not be able to contribute in the bullpen as much as they’d like.  That said, the bullpen has been quite good lately.  Smoltz would only make it better.

The question arises, if he gets healthy and helps from the bullpen, would he switch to the starting rotation if we made it to the postseason?  He’s a competitor and would want to contribute as much as possible.

In other news, the NY Daily News is reporting that Pedro Martinez is contemplating retirement at the end of the season due to the failing health of his father.  Pablo, age 78, is dealing with cancer and the emotional toll is weighing heavily on the family, as well as himself.  In an admission of the toll the heavy schedule of baseball on family life, Pedro told the News “I haven’t been there for them. I just realized that between last year and this year I haven’t been there for my family, my parents… After this season, I’m going to go back home and think about it and I’m going to decide.”

The question with the Pedro situation is – will the Mets and their fans really miss him?  He hasn’t quite been the electric starter he was with Boston, so one has to ask – does this even matter?


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Metspocalypse Now: Pedro Martinez Hurt

Written by Colin on April 1, 2008 – 11:50 pm

It’s time. Yes, the Mets’ second game of the regular season and their number two starter, the great Pedro Martinez left the game after reportedly feeling a pop in his hamstring in the fourth inning. Now, I’m no expert. I don’t have a degree in physical training. But feeling your muscles pop – especially muscles you use in performing your job as the “best #2 starter in baseball” (yeah, right) – isn’t a good thing.

Of course, now he’s on his way back to New York for an MRI and is listed as day-to-day. They’re calling it a strain. But Pedro has been increasingly fragile recently and I believe he’s said he won’t do another extensive rehab like he had to do after shoulder surgery.

So that’s right, Mets fans. Cry your little hearts out. Fret as you watch part of your dynamic duo fade into nothing. Let’s face it, he’s old. He’s washed up. And that’s why the Mets like him – they’re a team full of old washed up former stars. And I dare say he’s not the only Met that will go down this season. He’s just the first, and I hope he’s not the most high profile one.

They’ve started their seasonal collapse early, and I for one am glad to watch it. Someone grab a beer, this will be a fun one.

Update: Pedro is on the 15 day DL, and though his MRI results have not yet been released, it is thought that he experienced a slight tear of the hamstring.  We’ll have more as we hear it.


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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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