NewsBeltran heads to DL with sore right knee
Mets call up outfielder Martinez, two pitchers from Triple-A
By Marty Noble / MLB.com
06/22/09 6:18 PM ET
NEW YORK -- The oft-mentioned core of the Mets -- Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and David Wright -- has taken another blow, and the Mets' supposedly regular lineup has taken yet another shot to the solar plexus. Beltran, his right knee aching for about a month, was assigned to the disabled list Monday, changing his status to that of Reyes, Carlos Delgado, John Maine, J.J. Putz and Oliver Perez.According to general manager Omar Minaya, an MRI administered Monday detected that the bruise under Beltran's right knee cap, a problem for weeks, has expanded. Beltran said Sunday the knee had become more of a problem in recent days and that a trip to the DL was at least possible.
His assignment, the 14th involving 13 Mets this season, prompted the club to promote rookie Fernando Martinez from its Triple-A Buffalo affiliate. Jeremy Reed was to play center field, in Beltran's stead Monday when the Mets began a four-game series against the Cardinals at Citi Field. But manager Jerry Manuel indicated he would use Martinez in center field with some regularity. The club had demoted Martinez to Buffalo last week when Nick Evans was added to the big league roster, at least partially because it wanted Martinez to play regularly.
The moves involving center field were two of six moves the Mets made on Monday. Left-handed reliever Ken Takahasi was assigned to Buffalo and infielder Wilson Valdez was designated for assignment, creating roster vacancies that were filled by pitchers Elmer Dessens, the veteran, and left-hander Pat Misch.
The club also designated right-handed pitcherConnor Robertson for assignment, and released infielder Javier Valentin -- the starting second baseman on the 2006 team that reached the National League Championship Series -- and outfielders Wily Mo Pena and Bobby Kielty.
Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, Brian Schneider and Ryan Church, all regulars, have been assigned to the DL thus far.
Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
