NewsMets to move forward despite injuries
New York (57-69) at Florida (66-59), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
08/26/09 1:35 AM ET
MIAMI -- For months now, Jerry Manuel has remained upbeat when all indications tell him not to be. It's his job. But Tuesday, after three medical setbacks and a trade hit him in one swift blow, the Mets' manager could hardly joke around as reporters rattled off the names of the wounded. Carlos Delgado? "Not encouraged," Manuel said. Jose Reyes? "Not encouraged." Carlos Beltran? "Neutral right now." So there's that. Rather than proceed with Beltran or anyone else, however, the Mets must play with what they have -- a list that continues to grow shorter by the day. Tuesday, Manuel was forced to deal with the news of Johan Santana's season-ending surgery, J.J. Putz's season-ending setback and Oliver Perez's knee examination. And he could hardly be surprised. Since May, Manuel has had to deal with the seemingly daily onslaught of injuries that has knocked the Mets out of playoff contention. He's used to it. But acceptance doesn't make his daily task of filling out a lineup card any easier. "Every day we get something new here," Manuel said. "Every day. But we'll be OK. We're building up equity for years to come." Perhaps. But first the Mets must finish this year, a task that continues Wednesday at Land Shark Stadium. There, the Mets will proceed with Mike Pelfrey, the one healthy starter remaining from their Opening Day rotation. Yet even that comes with a catch. Pelfrey will oppose Marlins ace Josh Johnson, a legitimate National League Cy Young Award candidate who has already beaten the Mets twice this season. In four August starts, opposing batters are hitting just .202 against him. And so the Mets, who will again feature a lineup lacking in feature players, must find a way to solve one of the league's best starters. "We have to execute very well to do what we need to do to win games," Manuel said. "We have to be very sound in our execution, our strategy and all the little things that go into winning a game." After Tuesday, things will grow even more uncertain for the Mets. Tim Redding, who pitched well in an abbreviated outing Saturday, will start Thursday's finale against the Marlins -- but his pitch count should again be an issue. And though Perez is set to start Friday's opener in Chicago, he is currently an injury risk and may be scratched from the start. Suddenly, as they have done most of this season with their lineup card, the Mets must all but draw from a hat to determine their rotation. "I have to take it as a good challenge," pitching coach Dan Warthen said. But hardly an enviable one. Pitching matchupNYM: RHP Mike Pelfrey (9-8, 4.67 ERA)
In his last outing, Pelfrey put forth his second straight solid start, limiting the Phillies to two runs on six hits over six innings Friday. The right-hander escaped a bases-loaded one-out jam in his final inning, inducing popups from pinch-hitter Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins. Pelfrey is 1-5 with a 5.36 ERA in nine career starts against the Marlins. Pelfrey did have one of his best starts of the season against Florida earlier this year, holding the National League East foe to one run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision on May 29 at Citi Field. Pelfrey is 0-1 with a 5.94 ERA in three career starts at Land Shark Stadium. Cody Ross is 5-for-14 against Pelfrey with two extra-base hits, while four of Dan Uggla's seven hits off the righty have been doubles. Hanley Ramirez is the only current Marlins batter with a home run against Pelfrey. FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (12-3, 2.99 ERA)
A rarity happened in Johnson's last start Thursday. The All-Star was unable to turn in a quality start. Twenty of his 25 starts have been quality caliber -- at least six innings and three or less earned runs. At Houston, however, the 25-year-old gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings. It was his third-shortest outing of the season. Johnson will look to bounce back against a team he has enjoyed great success against. Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts against the Mets this year, and he's 6-0 with a 2.05 ERA in his career. Tidbits
Outfielder Gary Sheffield left Tuesday's game with a cramp in his left lower back. He is day-to-day. ... Prior to the game, the Mets recalled left-hander Pat Misch and first baseman Nick Evans from Triple-A Buffalo to take the roster spots of Santana and Wagner. Misch, who pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Perez on Sunday, could step into the rotation if Perez is unable to start Friday. ... Outfielder Jeff Francoeur (torn ligament in left thumb) was in Tuesday's lineup after a one-game respite and went 2-for-4 with a run scored. "I guess the real test will be tomorrow when Johnson saws me off with one," Francoeur said. ... Lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano turned 33 on Tuesday. Tickets
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• Thursday: Mets (Tim Redding, 1-4, 6.10) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez, 2-4, 4.97), 1:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Mets (Oliver Perez, 3-4, 6.82) at Cubs (Ted Lilly, 9-8, 3.40), 2:20 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Mets (Bobby Parnell, 3-6, 5.08) at Cubs (Ryan Dempster, 7-7, 4.07), 4:10 p.m. ET
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
