Mets(courtesy of mlb.com)
Ruben Tejada has been afforded a great opportunity with Reyes on the sideline, but that wild ride may be coming to an end. Tejada, a 20-year-old infielder, may be on the other side of the transaction whenever Reyes comes off the disabled list. That could be as early as Saturday, the first day Reyes is eligible to come off the 15-day DL.
Mets officials will discuss Reyes — who has been sidelined by the effects of a glandular condition since late March — before Friday’s game. Tejada made his Major League debut Wednesday as a pinch-hitter and then started Thursday at shortstop, but he’s well aware that his short-term future is all but inexorably tied to Reyes and his recovery.
Tejada appears to be the favorite to start at shortstop in Friday’s game, but he’s already made his mark. On Thursday, Tejada became the youngest player to start a big league game since Tampa Bay’s B.J. Upton did it in September 2004. Now, Tejada is waiting to learn his fate and willing to do whatever it takes to make a good impression with the Mets.
“I’m ready to play where they want me,” Tejada said. “I want to play here or where they say I should play.”
Lineup
Pagan, CF
Cora, 2B
Wright, 3B
Bay, LF
Jacobs, 1B
Francoeur, RF
Barajas, C
Tejada, SS
Pelfrey, P
Nationals(courtesy of mlb.com)
Mock earned a rotation berth despite a contentious Spring Training derby with southpaw Scott Olson, who will begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse. Mock, a former third-round Draft pick, was acquired from Arizona during the 2006 season as part of a trade for veteran starter Livan Hernandez, and the Nationals believe he can grow into a mid-rotation starter.
Mock went 3-10 with a 5.62 ERA last year, and the Nats have told him that he’s on a relatively short leash. The 26-year-old knows that Olson is right behind him and knows that he can’t afford a slow start this season.
“The expectations are high,” Mock said. “I expect a lot out of myself. It goes a lot deeper. There are a lot of things I expect out of myself. I don’t feel any pressure. I know [the Nationals] believe in my stuff. It’s time to get started and it’s time to win.”
Lineup
Morgan, CF
Harris, RF
Zimmerman, 3B
Dunn, 1B
Willingham, LF
Kennedy, 2B
Rodriguez, C
Desmond, SS
Mock, P
PLAY BALL
15 comments
metsfan4decades
4/9/2010-7:04pm at 7:04 pm (UTC -4)
Let’s Go Big Pelf!
njstuckintx
4/9/2010-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
I am liking that new split finger fastball. It’s looking nasty!
asod75
4/9/2010-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
Two-out, two-run triple by Desmond, 2-0 Nats. Hopefully the Mets get to this nobody, Garrett Mock.
asod75
4/9/2010-7:46pm at 7:46 pm (UTC -4)
That’s a start. Good job, Jeff!
asod75
4/9/2010-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Ike Davis 1-1 with a homer, walk and 2 runs for Buffalo. Off to .800 start.
Kingman 26
4/9/2010-8:16pm at 8:16 pm (UTC -4)
So now he has 2 games in AAA and 57 above A ball.
Let’s give him 50-60 games in AAA.
asod75
4/9/2010-8:19pm at 8:19 pm (UTC -4)
I wasn’t saying call him up now, just stating what he’s doing tonight.
stickguy
4/9/2010-8:48pm at 8:48 pm (UTC -4)
actually, why does it really matter? If he is ready, he is ready. Not sure it should really take much more. certainly not 2 months.
Kingman 26
4/9/2010-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
Well, with the way Tejada and Mejia looked tonight, I am about ready for Tejada to take over 2B, Davis to take 1B, and what the hell, let FMart take CF until Beltran is ready.
JUNIOR CORE NOW!
Hazmet
4/9/2010-10:55pm at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
Welcome to the dark side.
stickguy
4/9/2010-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
no, this is the light side!
asod75
4/9/2010-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
Four walks for Big Pelf already in 3 1/3.
stickguy
4/9/2010-8:49pm at 8:49 pm (UTC -4)
a walk to dunn only counts for 1/2 a walk I think. And one was 4 pitches right after he forgot that he had a glove and stopped a grounder with his bare hand.
Overall, he looks good.
asod75
4/9/2010-8:37pm at 8:37 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, Rod!
GravediggerHebner
4/9/2010-9:42pm at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
David’s double looked to me like it hit off the facade of the second deck.