According to Adam Rubin’s blog Surfing the Mets, Brian Schneider has been scratched from tonight’s start with what Jerry Manuel called a knee infection. Robinson Cancel will start instead.

Also, according to Rubin, the Mets lost a coin flip today that determined where a potential tie-breaker between the Mets and Phillies would be played. Because they lost the coin-flip, the game will be in Philly.

Well, hopefully Schneider’s injury isn’t serious, especially with the status of Ramon Castro being fairly uncertain. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t mind having Schneider take a day off because I prefer having Castro behind the dish, but I definitely don’t prefer having Cancel back there.

And in regards to the coin flip - hopefully it won’t end up mattering.

Update 5:18 PM:

According to Rubin, Schneider says that there is no infection in the knee, only swelling and he hopes to play tomorrow. 

Mets catcher Brian Schneider has hit four home runs in his last six games, raising his season HR total to five. Where did this come from?

All five of his HRs this year have come against right-handed pitchers, so maybe there is something to this platoon thing. Of course, he’s played most of the season in a lefty-righty platoon, which presents a chicken-egg scenario.

From 2005-2007, he had 19 HRs against right-handed pitching with just 1 HR against left-handed pitching, while collecting over four times the number of ABs against right-handed pitching as against left-handed.

Ramon Castro has 3 HR against righties and 4 HR against lefties, while collecting roughly the same number of ABs against both this season.

Fans complaining about roster moves is nothing new. Generally, fans are cautioned to take a “wait and see” approach and not assume to know more than those in administrative positions. But one has to wonder about the recent roster moves the Mets have made.

SNY’s Ted Berg wrote a fantastic column about this issue earlier in the week. He argued that it didn’t make sense to bring up Abraham Nunez to the Mets because the Mets already have a utility infielder (Damion Easley), third base is a position the Mets don’t need backed up (David Wright has played in every game), and “everybody” was hitting better than Nunez in Triple-A New Orleans. These are all fantastic arguments and sentiments that should be echoed to end the lunacy of the Mets’ front office.

Not only all that, but the move is made worse by the fact that Ryan Church has been once again out of action. One could argue that playing Nick Evans was a bad move, but at least he’s an outfielder. Now the Mets are actually down one outfielder, unless the Nunez move was made to accommodate Easley starting more in the outfield. But why would you do that when there are multiple Triple-A outfielders within the organization that would contribute more than Nunez? Again, this all makes no sense.

I wrote an article earlier this week about how Raul Casanova has inexplicably gotten all the pinch-hitting opportunities, while Ramon Castro has gotten none. That made no sense. It got worse when Casanova went on the bereavement list earlier this week after the passing of his father. Desperately not wanting to lose that third catcher, the Mets brought up catcher Robinson Cancel.

Now, one might think, why do the Mets want these three catchers? But at least its temporary. And after all, there’s no way Cancel will actually see action. He’ll just be an emergency 3rd catcher, like Casanova should have been, until Casanova comes back.

But wait, Cancel did get an at-bat. There was a pinch-hitting opportunity in Friday’s Mets vs. Padres game. Not that it would make it acceptable, but this wasn’t a lead-off at-bat. Mets killer Randy Wolf had baffled the Mets all night. In a situation with two men on and one out in the 7th, Castro sat on the bench while Cancel took a bat. The journeyman catcher who has only 45 at-bats in his entire career grounded out.

This is where one starts to think that Mets fans could (possibly) make better decisions than this.

Cancel was on the roster for multiple games this week. He’s gone now, but Casanova is back. That’s the same dumb situation. It doesn’t make sense to have three catchers when Castro isn’t getting pinch-hit at-bats, and quite frankly, it wouldn’t be worth it even if he was. Brian Schneider has fallen to earth. Just have Schneider and Castro swap out starts as situations and match-ups warrant it. Keep only two catchers on the roster and use the other freed up spots for people who actually earn playing time.

I thought the Mets really progressed when they let Jorge Sosa go, despite his major league service, and kept the more effective Joe Smith, who has earned a roster spot. But with this bench mess, maybe the organization has regressed. After all, another bad roster move can be easily seen on the horizon. Hello, Jose Valentin. He brings just what the Mets need — more utility infielders.

I am normally a glass half-full person, but after yesterday’s loss and the Mets pathetic showing in their series at Shea against the Washington Nationals, I’ve had it. I’m dumping the glass.

This team has no heart. Yup, I said it… NO heart.

Wags, DWright, Moises, Johan, Mainer, Ryan Church and Brian Schneider are the only ones on this team who have shown they are gamers; so let’s get that out of the way. I’d even put Nelson Figueroa in there.

However, guys like Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, and Oliver Perez aren’t getting it done. Reyes has become a shell of his former self and has reverted to that pre-2006 player than hacks at everything. He had a week and a half where he appeared to be getting on track, but now he’s off again.

We all know that Delgado has been hit or miss; it’s been mostly miss this year. I can’t say I’m too surprised after last year’s swoon. He told everyone that would listen in the spring that he broke down everything this off-season and re-taught himself how to hit. Unfortunately, his re-teaching has made Carlos Delgado into Wilson Delgado.

The most disappointing person, to me, is Carlos Beltran. He was very boastful in the spring, telling reporters that the Mets were this year’s team to beat. They sure are (as my Phillies fan brother keeps telling me); teams just keep beating them and beating them.

Beltran has done absolutely nothing this year, aside from his spring declaration. I especially enjoyed watching him yesterday; he swings at the first pitch with runners and first and third and two outs. Perfect opportunity to hit in the clutch and work the count; of course, that didn’t happen.

I’ll keep it short on Perez. I have zero confidence in him when he’s on the mound. Someone, anyone want to tell me where the passion is? Where is the hard work that this team was built on when Willie Randolph took over as manager in 2005?

I know Gary Grund has called for an overhaul of the coaching staff, but I can’t put all of the blame on Willie and Co. Is he the one that hits a wall in the 4th inning? Is he the one that can’t play fundamental baseball? The answers are no.

Sure Willie will take the fall, but you can blame Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, et al, for his ouster.

There will be some that believe that since it’s May 16 that there is plenty of time. It’s an excuse. This team is running out of time… and fast. Losing two of three, or getting swept by the Yankees, and

Billy Wagner said it best after Thursday’s game:

“We’re not earning our money.”

That is an understatement.

In his usual weekly spot Brian Schneider spoke with WFAN’s Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts.

On last night’s game:

“Those are tough but in a long season they are gonna happen. You gotta just forget about them and move on.”

On the Nationals nonsense in the dugout:

“It caught my attention a couple of times. I’m not used to seeing that in the Big Leagues. But I wouldn’t use the term Bush League to describe it. I think Figueroa’s performance affected his reaction to it.”

More on Figgy:

“He’s more than capable, he knows what he’s doing. The roster move is giving every performance more attention. But he’s been solid.”

On seemingly endless side stories with this team:

“Things get blown out of proportion. A lot more are made of these things than are discussed in the clubhouse. The Wagner/Perez thing was a story everywhere but here…. We barely discuss these things.”

On the clubhouse:

“I’ve been in a few and this is a great one. Everyone is loose. We had a great road trip, faced some top teams. Everyone enjoys each other, this is one of the best clubhouses I’ve been apart of.”

On this weekend’s Yankee series:

“I’ve never been involved in something like this so, yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I’m really excited. Even though it’s at Yankee Stadium I know there will be Mets fans there and I’ve never played there before so, it should be exciting.”

On Scott Schoeneweis:

“Yeah, I was happy to see him get a good hand. With what he’s gone through, it’s nice. He’s really come through for us.”

On how he feels with the Pitching staff:

“I’m feeling more comfortable even with the injury setback. I don’t have to think as much, I’m getting used to their movement. I can just stick with the game plan.”

Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts wrapped the interview by telling Schneider that it has been reported that Nats OF Elijah Dukes was the ring leader of the dugout antics from last night. So, maybe he should be dusted or plunked tonight. Schneider responded thusly:

“I’d rather strike him out, keep him off base. That’s the way I’d take care of it.”

In an article for ESPN, Jayson Stark lists the top 10 most influential trades from this winter.

Ranking 1st is the Diamondback’s trade for ace Dan Haren, but ranking 2nd is the Mets’ trade for Johan Santana.

Stark writes:

True, this deal hasn’t propelled the Mets into first place. Also true: Santana is “only” 3-2, with a 2.91 ERA. But he’s also tied for the league lead in strikeouts. And his bullpen has already blown two saves for him. And he left one of those two losses trailing the Braves, 1-0, in the eighth inning. So he ought to be 6-1. But even at 3-2, he’s still been a definite upgrade on, say, Brian Lawrence.

As an honorable mention, he lists the deal for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church.

Yes, we are not in first place. But I’m having a really tough time imagining our rotation without the idea of Johan going out there every fifth day and giving us a shot to win. He anchors our staff, and I’d be a lot less confident in our squad if Jorge Sosa or Tony Armas Jr. were in the rotation.

And while I was uncomfortable with trading Lastings Milledge initially, and now even if he does develop into a guy that makes the All-Star game for a few years, having Church in our lineup has made so much of a difference. Especially with Beltran being so passive at the plate, Church has been there to get on base, drive runs home and he’s been phenomenal in the field. Not to mention, I enjoy the way Schneider calls a game and when he catches I have more faith in whomever is pitching.

Former Mets, now Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca is set to miss 4-6 weeks with a fracture in the fourth metacarpal bone in his right hand.

Lo Duca, 36, signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with Nationals in the offseason. He had surgery in January to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee and had a previous injury with his right hand that put him on the shelf for a few weeks earlier in the season.

I can’t say that I’m not happy with Brian Schneider, but the one thing that I think a lot of Mets fans loved about Lo Duca was the fire. It seems as if the Mets have lost that or are at least not showing it. The Mets have to show emotion. I’m not sure if it’s Willie Randolph that is stopping them or what, but I think the fans are looking for the emotion from 2006 and early 2007 to some extent.

For those wondering when then will become now, Adam Rubin reports in his blog that the entire Met lineup will be participating in todays game (ie, soon). Brian Schneider will be active and batting seventh, and Alou will return from his day of rest and take his spot in left. This puts all eight position players in their respective spots for the first time this season, though bench player Ramon Castro still remains on the DL.

Good to finally see everyone healthy, with the added bonus of Church remaining at the second spot of the order. Now lets see if we can keep it this way.

Brian Schneider will likely return tomorrow, according to the Daily News . He spent just shy of a week in the hospital with an infected thumb, and has yet to return to duty, though he caught a bullpen session. In the article, Rubin also points out the Ramon Castro and Matt Wise also participated in rehab games. Wise threw two innings, taking down all six batters. Castro caught seven innings. Both played with St Lucie.

A name missing from this list of those actively participating in rehab games: Orlando Hernendez. The most likely options are that he has since lost his injured foot entirely (being replaced with a foot size and shaped bunion) or that he is being fitted with an Iron Man style boot.

I’d assume with Wise, there is no rush, since unless someone gets hurt there is not a lot of options as far as returning him to the Bullpen. They could option Joe Smith, but he’s doing respectable so far so why send him down. Especially considering he suffered from fatigue problems last year, might as well use him while he’s good, and then if he falters, you have Wise healthy and ready to switch into that spot. Plus, it’d make Hot Foot’s Rob pretty sad to see Smith go.