After a bad slide, sure lock for a bench spot Ruben Gotay is on crunches and awaiting test results. Nothing is broken, but a serious injury could still result in a trip to the DL to start the season. With many a Met, especially reserve infielders, currently ailing, we could see something I never thought would happen again: Anderson Hernandez on the roster.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are things I like about him. For one, its the most fun Met name to say. Do it, right now, out loud: Anderson Hernandez. You can’t call him just Anderson or Andy. I guess if you’re some sort of jerk or tool you could say ‘A-Hern’, but personally, that sort of crap should be left to the losers in the Bronx. Its got to be said all at once. Anderson Hernandez. Oh, also, he fields pretty good. The man can turn a nice double play, isn’t prone to errors. And the rumor mill says he makes a mean casserole.

Of course, theres the big problem. Anderson Hernandez cannot hit. I don’t mean he’s one of those singles guys, though he is. In three off and on seasons with the Mets he has one double, one triple, and one homerun, though he has speed that usually results in more than 3 extra base hits. He just can’t hit. Every off season he tears up the winter leagues. Bloggers and sports writters proclaim he’s finally learned to hit. Spring training comes around…and he in fact still cannot hit. Career .138 as a Met to date.

 Unless Stache is healed up enough to play, or Gotay turns out to be only minorly hurt, this late in the game it seems likely we will see Anderson Hernandez come opening day. Perhaps he really has finally learn to hit. Perhaps he attended a pool party at Jose Conseco’s during the offseason. Perhaps his failure to do well in the big league was merely an eleberate conjob to give Gotay a false sense of security. Chances are, we will find out soon.

Filed under: Anderson Hernandez