According to numerous reports, El Duque could return this weekend.  He threw a side session yesterday, and if he's feeling well today he will most likely pitch against the Marlins this weekend.  Vargas will most likely then be moved back to AAA Zephyrs.

the Post also reports that Jose Valentin is still no where near coming back, nor is Lastings.

Good news on El Duque, maybe he can get the pitching a little more focused. Not good news on Stache, but that was pretty much expected.  If he's going to be out awhile, we really need to get someone to grow a stache in his honor. My vote: Gotay.

Its been a few weeks since they ran one of these, so the AP reports today that Pedro Martinez is still healing up and could be back by August.

I'm not entirely sure this even counts as news. Or if it was just a we were off yesterday so they just needed to fill some column space, and no ones written that Pedro will be back in August in a few weeks. Yep, Pedro, back in August. Maybe. Just like we said last month. Though the way tonights game is progressing, if there's a way to speed that up I'm all for it. Human sacrafice? I'll toss Chan Ho Park into a volcano if it'll make Pedro heal quicker. Anyways, at least it'll provide you a distraction from tonights game.

Moises Alou has been placed on the DL, retro'ed to Saturday, with his quad injury.  The mvoe was made after last nights game, AAA pitcher Vargas will take his roster spot.

Personally, I think this is good news. No offense to Alou, he's been hitting great, he's been one of the more consistant players on the team, but it was time to give him some rest and let him heal before he just made it worse. Now we get to keep Gomez up for awhile longer rather than send him back down to clear space for a pitcher.   Hopefully Vargas will do well, because I for one am not entirely that confidant in most of the other arms in our AAA club right now. Humber needs more time, and it seems like it would be pointless to bring Pelf back so quick. With Gomez and Endy both around though its nice, since even with the slower Green in right, it still completely changes the look of the OF with one of them in the left corner.  Plus it probably saves some wear and tear on Beltran.

Alou left the game today with a pulled left quad. He's listed day to day. 

Another Alou injury in a short period of time, if this doesn't send him to the DL chances are something else will shortly. Hey Chip Ambres, maybe you should pack a bag. Just in case.

Dave Lennon over at Newsday is reporting Carlos Beltran is still a bit sore in his left quad.  He sat Sundays game, the first game he did not start of the season.  Though back in the lineup last night, he went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts to drop his average to .320.

Its always hard to tell with Beltran.  He'll quietly go 4 for 5 with a homerun and a handfull of RBI's, and he'll just as quietly play through the pain if he thinks he's good enough to go out there. You know he'll be out there giving it his all quietly and doing everything he can.  Hopefully if he is hurt he'll say something to Willie and take another day.

The Cards announced earlier today that Chris Carpenter will not return this week as hoped, but be out for three months instead. He will now have surgery on his right elbow latter in the week.

The Cards are currently in last place in the NL Central.

I have no idea whats going on over the NL central this year.  The Pirates are outperforming the Astros.  The Brewers are in first, with the only record over .500.  The loss of Carpenter for the vast majority of the season might be the final blow to keep the Cards at the bottom for the season. 

Alou's MRI's showed an irratated should capsule, but he has returned to the lineup.  he went 0 for 4 tonight in his first game back to drop his average to .333.  He is at least connecting however, with two fly outs and two groundouts in the Mets loss.

After yesterdays mishap, Alou is off getting tests done and presumable will not play tonight. Currently listed as day to day, the question arises: what if its more?  Alou afterall is the new Cliff Floyd, and the old Cliff Floyd was a bit familiar with the DL.  More familiar then we would probably like.  Its pretty much a given, Endy Chavez will be starting in left if Alou is out for a few days, and should it be a DL worthy injury, Chavez will most likely become the everyday outfielder.  But who will be on the bench?

Most of you probably want Gomez. He's hitting .301 with 13 stolen bases, and is rumored to be faster than Jose Reyes. With Lastings and Ben Johnson both hurt, he's also the clear top outfielder down in New Orleans. Its a very tempting package should Alou need some time to heal. One must remember though, he's young. He was down in AA Binghamton not too long ago. Chances are he's your Met outfielder of the future, but I think the future is still just that.

The more likely man, Ricky Ledee.  Now Ledee doesn't have Gomez speed or bat. He doesn't have Alou's power.  He may be shaky, unimpressive, and given a minor league contract for reasons that no ones incredible sure of. But its hard to see Omar playing the Gomez card this quickly.  Last season Lastings was brought up to fill in, earlier than planned, and was found to be still a bit immature and not quite ready for the show. Its hard to see Omar risking his other prime prospect in the same situation, especially this early in the season with his other big outfield prospect out hurt.

Make no mistake, Gomez is more talented. But like it or not, Ledee will be your next NY Met Bench guy should Alou's tests come back this afternoon in the bad way and not the good way. The best hope is that Ben Johnson heals quick or that Alou is just sore and will be returning by weeks end.

Dave Lennon over at Newsday is reporting that Gotay was selected due to a better performance than Anderson Hernendez so far in AAA.  He's also reporting that despite the injury Stache is in good humor, having provided this quote:

Well, at least his spirits are high. And hopefully his words will ring true. Preach on Stache.

Jose Valentin has been placed on the DL.   Kevin at the LoHud blog reports the Stache has a partial tear in his ACL.  Ruben Gotay has been called up to fill the spot, though its predicted Easley will be the primary fill in at 2nd.

Great news all around.  And by great, I mean 'oh no, everyone panic.' Well Easley's been good so far, though I think Stache has the better defense. Though a one legged, Stache…not so much. I wonder if Omar will start shopping for defensive second basemen. And pitchers. At least the teams Mustache wax / Just for Men Facial Hair Dye budget won't be that high this season. 

El Duque has been placed on the 15 day DL, with bursitis in his right shoulder. Chan Ho Park will be called up from AAA New Orleans to pitch in his place.

I'm not going to lie. This makes me rather uncomfortable. I don't know if this is just a temporary move, since Park was the only AAA guy who was on schedule to pitch today. If thats the case, its somewhat of a relief. I can survive one Park outing if he's getting sent right back in exchange for Sosa.  But Park does not have my confidence. I guess we'll see tonight.

It was announced earlier today that El Duque flew back to NYC to get a checkup after feeling a tightness in his throwing shoulder. Nothing has been said one way or the other, but El Duque was the scheduled starter in tommorows game at Shea vs the Marlins. This brings up the question of if he cannot, who starts?

The first option, if its just soreness that will require a day or two and not a trip to the DL, is moving up Pelf.  Pelfrey is scheduled to pitch Tuesday, and would be the only option from within the current 25 man roster.  The other three starters all pitched in this Nats series, so are obviously out.  Aaron Sele, the primary long man right now, also pitched recently and is out of contention.  Pitching Pelf at the least buys the Mets a day to see if El Duque is ready, and keeps them from having to make a roster move. Neither of the next two days scheduled Marlins pitchers is what one would call great. Olsen has given up 18 earned runs this season while going 2-1.  Nalasco, Tuesdays pitcher, is more of question mark. He has yet to start a game this season, pitching just over an inning in relief.  If the Mets offense can refind their groove at Shea, moving him up a day could be doable, though it has all the earmarks of a day that says a lot of runs from both teams.

There is also the option of one of our AAA guys.  Sosa is out, having pitched today. Humber and Park are the only two other starters on the 40 man. I don't know all the naunces of roster manipulation, but I am assuming that being on the 40man would make it easier to send one of them up for a game if either El Duque is DLed or someone else is sent down. 

Park has the experience of the two, but has struggled.  His ERA is in the 7 neighborhood while facing minor league hitters.  He's also on the most rest and is scheduled to pitch tommorow anyway.  If Duque sits and Pelf isn't moved up, he is most likely not the best, but the only option.  He gave up six runs in his last start, but won while the Zephyrs set a team record with an offensive explosion.

Humber could be an option for Tuesday if Pelf was moved up. He last pitched Friday night in a losing performance. He gave up six runs, five earned, and his been inconsistant.  He's had three games in which he kept the opposition to just 1 run, resulting in two wins and a no decision.  His two losses also include a game where he lasted three innings and gave up four runs on four hits.

With Sosa being allowed to pitch today, my guess is that Randolph doesn't believe El Duque will be out.  If any moves are made, my guess is a game switch between him and Pelf.

For fans of our crosstown rivals, some good and same bad news.

The good, they snapped a losing streak and took one from the Sox with last nights victory.

The bad, another starting pitcher went down.  Starter Jeff Karstens took a line drive to the leg, resulting in a broken bone. He will be placed on the 15 day DL, but it is unknown how long he will be out for.

Ben Shpigel reports in his blog at the Times that Lastings Milledge will be out 4 to 6 weeks, which is a bit longer than anticipated, with the injury to his foot.

Remember all those jokes about how unlikely it would be to see Ricky Leedee in a Met uniform?  Well, umm…lets hope Alou and Green stay healthy.  The young Carlos Gomez though is still doing well down in AAA, and would also be an option if needed. He's probably behind Leedee though due to his age and inexperience.  Ben Johnson is still out after his argument with the outfield wall.