OF Moises Alou could make his much anticipated 2008 debut tonight. As Peter already stated, Brian Schneider has said he is available as a backup tonight if needed.

What this means is that Gustavo Molina can be sent down to make room for Alou on the roster.

Adam Rubin of the Daily News says the buzz is Moises Alou will be able to play by this weekend.

UPDATE: Adam Rubin reports that Alou is working out with the team and he quotes Willie Randolph about Alou “He looks good” “It’s good to see him.” Also, Brian Schneider is still in the hospital.

UPDATE: Again from Adam Rubin, according to Alou himself there is no fracture in his ankle and he will be ready to be activated Friday in Arizona.

First the injury update, according to Marty Noble of Mets.com OF Moises Alou had his MRI rescheduled for today because the weather delayed his flight. C Brian Schneider should be released today, Noble points out that even though the Mets say his condition (infected left thumb) is improving this is the second time Brian’s release date has been moved forward.

Roger Rubin of the Daily News writes because of the rainout yesterday P Nelson Figueroa’s next start will be skipped which will set up a Johan Santana start vs Arizona on the upcoming road trip. Rubin also added that manager Willie Randolph was not overly enthused with the extra time off:

“We’re playing pretty good ball right now and, even though we’ve been using our bullpen, no one’s really been overtaxed or anything like that,” he said. “(Aaron) Heilman and some of these guys have been struggling off and on but they’re not tired.”

With Moises Alou’s status still up in the air Ed Ryan of Mets Fever suggests 29 year old Mets minor league outfielder and former Marlins prospect Chris Aguila. Aguila is off to a great start with the New Orleans Zephyrs. The other day I ran across a recent Q & A Aguila had with Scout.com’s (Inside Pitch) Chad Bower. Aguila has his head on straight and is looking for any kind of chance to help the big club.

If you haven’t had your fill of the Carlos Delgado booing and curtain call saga than you can read the NY Post’s Kevin Kernan’s about face on the topic, or recent friend of Mets Blog’s Matt Cerrone, Bob Raissman of the Daily News and his break down of how the media has handled all of this.

According to Matt Cerrone of Mets Blog Jose Valentin will be in NY soon for an exam by team doctors and if the exam goes well he’ll report to Port St. Lucie for extended spring training.

Lastly, Flip Bondy of the Daily News has a great piece on Jane Jarvis, who for 15 years was the organ player at Shea Stadium.

Jane Jarvis is 92 years old and was a big part of Shea Stadium’s past. I haven’t heard of any plans of honoring her this season and there is no mention of anything like that in Bondy’s column. Sometimes it amazes me how Mets ownership misses stuff like this. For example Shea’s “Sign Man” Karl Ehrhardt, who has since past away, was the topic of a article in the NY Times from 2006, it took the Mets a long time to reach out to him and finally make him a part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Shea Stadium. The people and sounds that filled Big Shea bring back fond memories and should be a part of Shea’s last year standing. That is how you reenforce tradition. Common sense is not so common I guess.

Perhaps the Mets should just buy a MRI machine at this point. According to John Delcos , Moises Alou is headed back to NY for a MRI after a CAT scan indicated a problem in the ankle he tweaked earlier this weekend. So hopefully Angel Pagan isn’t staying in a hotel, because he’s going to be here for awhile longer. Chances are we won’t be hearing any results till Tuesday.

Of the three injured Old Timers, I think chances are Pedro is the only one who’ll have a Met uniform on by the All Star Break. If as Delcos indicated, Alou does have a fracture, could we even rule out this being it? At some point if you fracture something playing in low A ball while recovering from hernia surgery, the light at the end of the baseball tunnel has to be getting close. We keep hearing that Alou’s return could be a catalyst, and its just a question of when, but sooner or later the return will not be questioned as a when but an if.

According to Anthony McCarron of the Daily News Moises Alou sat out tonight’s game in the minors because of left ankle soreness.

According to Adam Rubin, Moises Alou is looking likely for the upcoming Braves series. He went 2 for 7 and played 7 innings in left in his most recent extended spring training game.

I’m officially restarting the Moises Alou injury pool, and saying…the Pirates series.

Ramon Castro caught four innings and went 2 for 3.

For those who have forgotten, Ramon Castro is our backup catcher, and bears a vague resemeblence to Shrek, except he isn’t green. Well, he isn’t usually green.

Orlando Hernendez, still wearing a boot. Over/under on his return is set at: never.

John Delcos reports that Moises Alou went 3 for 3 in a minor league rehab game today, in low level ball at St Lucie. In theory, Alou could return to the majors as early as next weekend.

Or, as late as 2010. My grandmother always told me, ‘never count your Moises Alous before they hatched.’ I’ve found it to be good, if odd, advice. Especially since she told me it back in the mid80s when Alou was not a Met. Or playing professional baseball. But she’s always been ahead of her time, and a bit crazy. Regardless, I need to see something a little more solid than 3 for 3 in St Lucie before I jump on the bring Alou back to Shea train. Like at the very least, a few decent games in AA or AAA. Or at the least, a week without him hurting himself doing everyday tasks.

Remember Ramon Castro? Well you won’t, cause he’ll be out awhile longer. Rumor is, he reinjured himself performing a stunt for the upcoming Shrek 4. Was shut down after running earlier today.

Moises Alou? Still not even playing in the minor leagues. So..awhile. He did go 1 for 4 in a extended rehab game. Possible to be in A level ball soon.

Is Jose Valentin even still with the organization? Did he retire? Is he hurt? I kind of forgot about him.

Pedro Martinez is hard at work in the Dominican. He says he’ll be back in May. Omar says June. So at the very least, his boasting and quote giving ability is back at All Star level.

And as always, finally El Duque. Still wearing a boot.  So enjoy Nelson for awhile longer, its a good story and as long as it remains so, the quiet El Duque retirement press release will be painless a month or two from now.

According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News Mets OF Moises Alou is progressing fast from the hernia surgery he had on March 6. Alou is expected to play in a rehab game in Port St, Lucie by this weekend.

Other notes from Rubin’s column include, Jose Reyes says “It’s too soon to know” whether he’ll be able to play in the series opener against Washington on Tuesday. Reyes will be at Shea today for treatment.

Also, Willie Randolph said that he’s planning on batting hot hitting Angel Pagan in the six or seven hole in the line-up when Reyes comes back, leaving Castillo in the two spot.

Duaner Sanchez who hit 92 mph on the gun Saturday night will likely take Carlos Muniz place with the big club on Tuesday.

Adam also gives us a reminder that David Wright and Al Pacino will be on “The Late Show with Letterman” tonight.