Coleman: Mets' Injury Update

While the Mets continue to attempt to get to the .500 mark - unsuccessfully - on the field, off the field they're trying to nurse their wounded starters back to full health and get them in the lineup to aid that cause. G.M. Sandy Alderson delivered a lengthy capsule on the status of David Wright, Ike Davis, Johan Santana and even reliever Taylor Buchholz, on whom there is little news at this time.

The news on Santana - the missing ace of the rotation - drew most of the attention. Alderson revealed that Santana had not thrown off a mound since June 3 after experiencing some soreness in his surgically-repaired left shoulder the following day. Santana is in the third and final stage of his rehabilitation, but it obviously has slowed down considerably. They are trying to get him to a point that would reflect the beginning of spring training for Santana - and then proceed from there.

When I asked whether you could now turn the July page to at least August - which I've been saying since spring training - Alderson said not necessarily, and also added that he does not consider this a setback.

The one thing that makes the most sense is that Alderson reiterated that Santana is a long-term project, not short-term or a quick fix, separate and distinct from how this year's team is doing.

Look, the bottom line is this - Johan Santana will decide if he's ready, when he's ready, and whether he will pitch again this season and at what level. Santana still has two megabuck years remaining on his contract - plus an option - and he's not doing anything to jeopardize that. Nor should the Mets. Alderson concurred.

Somewhat lost in the shuffle of the Santana news was the information on Wright and Davis, particularly Wright. Davis will be re-examined on June 22, Wright a couple of days later on June 24. When asked whether both players will be getting MRI's as part of their checkups on those days, Alderson said.

Now I'm no doctor, but it would seem to me that if a person had a stress fracture in his back as Wright does, you would like an MRI to check out whether it's healed or is healing before approving baseball activity, from which he is currently abstaining. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it bears watching.

Alderson was also asked about the probable current N.L. MVP - Jose Reyes - and whether the two sides have gotten together to discuss contract parameters or to feel each other out as to where they stand. Alderson said they haven't yet, but they will, he's looking forward to the conversation and delivered this assessment on Reyes.

A privilege indeed. Stay tuned.

C U soon
Eddie C.

Would you start preparing for the return of some injured Mets? Or is it too early to tell? Leave a comment below.