Tag Archives: Pedro Feliciano

Mar 14

David Wright Scratched From Game Against Dominican Republic

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The Mets’ worst possible fears regarding the WBC could be materializing. David Wright injured his ribs working out with the WBC team last week in Arizona, evidently played hurt, and was scratched from last night’s game against the Dominican Republic.

WRIGHT: Scratched with rib pain.

WRIGHT: Scratched with rib pain.

Wright was having a tremendous spring for Team USA and could be out the rest of the tournament.

USA manager Joe Torre consulted with the Mets’ medical staff and it was decided he’d be scratched and will be examined by Mets doctors Friday morning in Port St. Lucie.

“I’m optimistic that they’ll allow me to come back and rejoin these guys,’’ Wright told reporters in Miami, where tonight’s game was played. “I wanted to play tonight, but I understand the decision. I’m disappointed. That goes without saying. But I completely understand the direction that they’re going.’’

Wright felt pain in his left side over a week ago. Reports were sent to the Mets’ team doctors, who cleared him to play.
Why he wasn’t sent to Port St. Lucie or New York immediately to be examined by club physician hasn’t been answered.

Wright was having a blistering spring, hitting .438 (7-for-16) with 10 RBI, including a grand slam over Italy.

We don’t know the severity of Wright’s injury, but a significant player being hurt in the WBC and missing time from his team has always been the biggest concern about this manufactured tournament.

When it comes to international competition, I understand the concept of the Olympics – which has done away with baseball, by the way – and the World Cup. However, the WBC? Well, that is a manufactured event devised for marketing purposes.

Maybe this is nothing with Wright. Maybe it will turn out to be a big deal, a major negative for a team that has experienced so many.

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Mar 08

Bobby Parnell Looks Good In Mets’ Defeat; Dillon Gee Wild

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It is too soon to say much definitive about Terry Collins’ 2013 Mets other than it has the makings of a long year.

Twice this afternoon, the frustrated Mets’ manager answered seemingly innocuous questions about his roster with a curt, “It is March 8.’’

PARNELL: Making strides.

PARNELL: Making strides.

One silver thread out of today’s 3-2 loss to Detroit was reliever Bobby Parnell, who pitched a 1-2-3 sixth as he’s settling in to the closer job with Frank Francisco destined to open the season on the disabled list with a sore right elbow.

Parnell could always throw hard – sometimes in triple digits – but had trouble with command of his secondary pitches. That wasn’t the case against the Tigers.

“My curveball is working really well,’’ said Parnell. “Last year, I was inconsistent with my curveball. Today I was able to able to throw it for strikes early in the count.’’

Parnell was aggressive and attacked the hitters, and perhaps most importantly threw his curveball in counts where the hitter would normally be expecting a fastball.

“His breaking ball has really improved,’’ Collins said. “I loved his demeanor. He’s going after hitters like he knows he’s going to get them out.’’

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Mar 05

Marcum, Hawkins And Feliciano Work Today; Waiting For Mejia Results

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With Jenrry Mejia in New York for an exam, several other Mets pitching prospects – if you can call injured and aging veterans that – toiled in a “B’’ game against Miami.

Shaun Marcum, who hasn’t endeared himself to manager Terry Collins by not being in the best shape upon his arrival and 40-year-old LaTroy Hawkins each worked two innings.

Marcum didn’t give up a run while Hawkins gave up one. In addition, Pedro Feliciano gave up a run in one inning.

Hawkins and Feliciano are competing for spots in the bullpen while Marcum is the projected fifth starter.

Mejia’s test results are expected to be announced tomorrow.

Mar 05

Mejia Flying To NY For Undisclosed Medical Condition

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MetsGreetings from Port St. Lucie, where the Mets have the afternoon off. However, just because they are down for the day, it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything happening.

I just checked into the hotel and will hit the ground running.

They wouldn’t be the Mets if there weren’t injury news. Jenrry Mejia returned to New York this morning to have an undisclosed medical condition checked out. As with Pedro Feliciano before him, his reporting physical was red flagged.

Mejia is coming off Tommy John surgery, but there is no word yet whether the injury is to his elbow.

Mejia, who is expected to open the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, was scheduled to pitch in a “B’’ game this morning against Miami.

Also scheduled to pitch are Shaun Marcum, Felicano and LaTroy Hawkins. I’ll have those results later.

Mar 04

Questions About Marcum, Santana And Nieuwenhuis

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The Mets are off tomorrow, but have a “B’’ game in Jupiter in which Shaun Marcum, Pedro Feliciano and LaTroy Hawkins will pitch.

The projected fifth starter, Marcum, raised concerns when he didn’t report in shape. Here is a guy trying to hang onto a major league job and he doesn’t come to camp ready to pitch and says he only needs four exhibition appearances to get ready for the season.

MARCUM: Pitches tomorrow.

MARCUM: Pitches tomorrow.

Guys like that are hard to cheer for and you only hope he’s right about the four games. Somehow, I doubt it.

Hawkins, 40, is competing for a bullpen spot, and as a veteran supposedly requires only a minimum amount of innings.

Feliciano, once a Mets’ workhorse out of the pen, was sidelined with a heart ailment and is required to wear a monitor.

Considering all three could make the staff, that’s not a good sign for the Mets’ pitching.

SANTANA QUESTIONS: Other than Johan Santana being angry at reporters having the nerve to ask him about his condition, there’s been no timetable in the wake of his throwing off the mound Sunday.

I still don’t understand how the Mets can say they monitored Santana in the off-season, yet be surprised he didn’t come to camp in shape.

I also don’t understand why Santana, who knows the Mets won’t extend him beyond this season, didn’t report ready considering he would be pitching for a new contract.

Perhaps, with $31 million due him from the Mets this year, he’s already thought about cashing in his chips and calling it a career.

Just wondering. Also wondering why Santana wanted to pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela  when he’s not even ready to pitch in an exhibition game for the Mets.

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