As it stands now, here’ s the projected Opening Day lineup for the Mets.
1. Jose Reyes SS
2. David Wright RF
3. Jose Reyes CF
4. David Wright 1B
5. David Wright 3B
6. Jose Reyes LF
7. Jose Reyes 2B
8. David Wright C
9. Johan Santana
Talk about having to manufacture runs by yourself… I guess the best thing you can say is the Mets are starting an All-Star at every position. I am a little concerned about the double-play possibilities though if Wright is on first with Wright at the plate.
The Mets are in this spot because they received even more bad injury news today when they learned a hernia that will require surgery will sideline Moises Alou for 4-to-6 weeks. That’s now three of the problematic four that I’ve spoke of all spring already on the sidelines. Carlos Delgado is out with his impingement. There’s no timetable on Duaner Sanchez. The only one of the four keys that is still active is Pedro Martinez, who will give it a go for the first time today. Yes, he’s only not on the list because he hasn’t even tried to play yet, therefore he hasn’t been unable to play. That’s the kind of encouraging news you have to look for right now in Mets camp.
As for the Alou injury, there’s two ways to look at it. No one in their right mind would have expected 100 games out of Alou this season, so what does it matter if he starts racking up those missed games right away? Of course, the other way to look at it is he is still going to miss those 62 other games and these absences will come out of his good 100. And you can’t ignore the fact that at his age, this is just another sign of how brittle he is. His replacement figures to be Endy Chavez, who also can’t play right now. So his roster spot may go to Angel Pagan, who’s been impressing people in Port St. Lucie the last few weeks.
In other injury news, Orlando Hernandez is experimenting with a new windup that will not put as much pressure on his bum foot. Don’t doubt Duque’s savvy, but realistically, reinventing himself at this point may take some time. It’s looking more and more like Mike Pelfrey will once again start the season in the rotation.
Who he has behind him every fifth day is anybody’s guess.
