Mets Look to Bounce Back at Home

    The Mets limped home from a disappointing 1-5 road trip with a slew of injuries.  Marlon Anderson and John Maine were put on the DL over the weekend and Billy Wagner joined them today with a strained left forearm.  Ramon Castro is still shaken up from the bizzare home plate collision on Saturday, and is listed as day-to-day with a sore ankle.  Rather than make any external moves, the Mets have turned to their farm system for help.  Although for the time being Jerry Manuel says he will use a bullpen by committee in the ninth inning, Eddie Kunz, the heir apparent to Billy Wagner, is on the major league squad and may get some looks in the closer role over the next two weeks while Wagner is out.  Daniel Murphy, who was a third baseman in the minors but requested some work at second base and the outfield--a smart move, considering David Wright isn't going anywhere anytime soon--is getting the start in left field tonight agains the Padres.  The Mets really love the way he hits, so he could be a fixture at the major league level for the remainder of the season and perhaps into the future.  And rumor has it that the Mets are considering calling up Jon Niese to make a few starts in Maine's stead.

    The waiver wire will start to heat up over the next few days, so the Mets may still get some help from outside.  Starting pitchers such as Livan Hernandez (Twins), Paul Byrd (Indians), and Jarrod Washburn (Mariners), relievers such as Scott Eyre (Cubs), Luis Ayala (Nationals), and David Weathers (Reds), and outfielders such as Craig Monroe (Twins), Randy Winn (Giants), and Brian Giles (Padres) are all candidates to clear waivers and change teams before the August 31 non-waiver trade deadline.  And then there's always the option of free agent starter Freddy Garcia, who is working out and will be ready to pitch within a week or two, according to his agent.  Hernandez and Monroe have already been designated for assignment by Minnesota, so depending on the severity of the inuries to Maine and Ryan Church, the Mets may consider either player as an option.  As I've said all along, I think Brian Giles is the best fit for the team despite his left-handedness, so I hope he becomes available.

Around The League

    Livan Hernandez is also reportedly garnering interest from the Rockies, who have had difficulties in their starting rotation all year, and the Yankees, who may need to replace Joba Chamberlain in their rotation.  Chamberlain, who is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA as a starter this season, left the game against the Rangers in the fifth inning last night with a stiff right shoulder.  He had an MRI today and will see Dr. James Andrews tomorrow.  The Yankees are already suffering through injuries to Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, so if Chamberlain's ailment is serious they may have to make a move in order to stay in playoff contention.  As of now Darrell Rasner and Sidney Ponson are holding down spots in the Yankees' rotation, but neither are considered long-term options.  Ian Kennedy has been pitching well at Triple-A, so they may consider calling him up to the big show in order to avoid starting Dan Giese, who is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in two starts this year.

    The Florida Marlins, who are 2.5 games behind Philadelphia and a half game ahead of the Mets in the NL East, begin a three-game series with the Phillies tonight at Citizens Bank Park.  The next six games are an important stretch for the Marlins, as they roll into Shea for the weekend after they finish facing Philly.

*Statistical information derived from www.baseball-reference.com