Mets Tickets

Friday, March 12, 2010

With projected setup man Kelvim Escobar likely to open the season on the disabled list, the Mets signed right-handed reliever Kiko Calero to a minor league deal on March 4. Calero will compete with right-handers Ryota Igarashi and Bobby Parnell to serve as the primary setup man for closer Francisco Rodriguez.Escobar is only being permitted to toss a baseball on flat ground, and manager Jerry Manuel said he does not expect the former Angel to be ready for opening day. Escobar, who signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal during the offseason, arrived in camp with shoulder weakness.Despite a solid 2009 season with the Marlins, Calero remained unsigned as camps opened in Florida and Arizona.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Rain delayed Francisco Rodriguez's first batting practice session to batters this spring training. Slowed by conjunctivitis, the New York Mets' closer expects to throw BP on Saturday, a step necessary before he appears in an exhibition game. He plans to wear prescription goggles at the direction of doctors.

Friday, March 12, 2010

David Wright looked around during the New York Mets' first full-squad workout and saw some of the injured stars that finished last season on the disabled list. He talked openly about the positive vibe in camp and having fun for a change. Two weeks later, dynamic shortstop Jose Reyes is hurt again and Wright is fielding the same questions he answered countless times during New York's...

Friday, March 12, 2010

With New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes expected to be on the disabled list for an overactive thyroid when the...

Thursday, March 11, 2010

John Lackey is off to a nice start with the Red Sox. The right-hander threw three shutout innings in Boston's 8-2 victory over Jason Bay and the New York Mets on Thursday. Lackey allowed three hits in his second spring outing and has yet to allow a run since he finalized an $82.5 million, five-year contract with the Red Sox in December.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

John Lackey is off to a nice start with the Red Sox. The right-hander threw three shutout innings in Boston's 8-2 victory over Jason Bay and the New York Mets on Thursday. Lackey allowed three hits and has yet to allow a run in five innings over two outings this spring. The former Angels star joined the Red Sox in December when he finalized an $82.5 million, five-year contract.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes has been told to rest and refrain from athletic activity for 2-to-8 weeks until his thyroid levels normalize, another blow to the New York Mets before opening day. Center fielder Carlos Beltran already is expected to miss the first month of the season following right knee surgery Jan.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Derek Lowe could only stare at his foot in disbelief. Longtime Braves manager Bobby Cox said he had never seen anything like it. Lowe was hampered Wednesday by a blister on his right foot, forcing him out of Atlanta's 7-6 victory over the New York Mets after just one inning. Lowe said the recurring blister on his push-off foot popped with Daniel Murphy at the plate, after he had faced two...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The eighth-inning setup role has been a big question for the New York Mets at spring training, and an answer doesn't appear to be coming any time soon. Veteran pitcher Kelvim Escobar has spent time in both the bullpen and starting rotation during his 12-year career and appeared to be the front-runner for the job entering camp.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Johan Santana struggled in his first game since August, allowing four runs on six hits in 1 2-3 innings, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Tuesday. Kaz Matsui hit a solo homer for the first of four straight hits in the first inning off Santana, who struck out one and walked one. The left-hander made it through the short outing with no setbacks as he continues to build strength...

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey returned to the mound Tuesday after being sidelined by a sore right leg. Pelfrey was struck on the outside of the knee by a comebacker during his first spring start Saturday. He stayed in the game against the Nationals and pitched three innings, but he pushed a scheduled bullpen session back a day because the leg was sore.

Monday, March 08, 2010

John Maine struck out the final batter he faced, which made it easier to leave the game in the middle of an inning. Maine threw 1 2-3 innings in his spring debut Monday, finishing with four strikeouts in the New York Mets' 11-2 victory over a Florida Marlins split-squad. "I was pleased," said Maine, who allowed one run, two hits and one walk.

Monday, March 08, 2010

All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez returned to New York Mets camp on Monday after being hampered by conjunctivitis for more than two weeks. Rodriguez had been told to stay away from the team until the pink eye cleared, but the contagious infection took longer than expected to improve. He was sick when he reported to New York's spring facility, but it went undiagnosed until just before...

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Oliver Perez threw strikes, and that was enough for the New York Mets for now. Perez was hit hard in his first spring start, but Omir Santos' inside-the-park grand slam helped the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 on Sunday. The Mets are looking for a big year from Perez, who finished last season on the disabled list after undergoing right knee surgery September 1.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Mike Pelfrey sawed off a couple of bats with a new pitch, didn't get down on himself and recovered from a shaky start. Pelfrey unveiled an effective split-finger fastball in his first spring start, Fernando Martinez had four hits and homered twice, and the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 14-6 on Saturday.