5/4/10

Mets Roster Moves, Dickey, Beltran's Knee, Billy Wagner... and Willie Mays

Mets Roster Moves:


St. Lucie added P Angel Cuan.

• 1B Nick Evans reinstated from Binghamton (AA) Disabled List

• OF D.J. Wabick transferred from Binghamton (AA) to Brooklyn (SS-A) roster.











R.A. Dickey:

R.A. Dickey, rhp, Mets. While he spent a large portion of last season in the Twins bullpen, Dickey had to settle for a minor league deal last winter. The 35-year-old knuckleballer latched on with the Mets in late December, and to this point it's been a perfect match. Yesterday, in his fifth start for Triple-A Buffalo, Dickey allowed a leadoff hit to Durham's Fernando Perez and then retired the next 27 Bulls batters in order. His final line: nine innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, six strikeouts (including Perez twice). Dickey leads the minors with 38 2/3 innings, and his past four starts would make an old-timer proud. Dickey has gone nine, eight, eight and nine innings in consecutive Bisons starts, completing two of them and going 3-1, 1.59 while walking just two batters and throwing one wild pitch. That's not the type of performance one would expect from a knuckleballer, no matter how seasoned. But perhaps this is more like it: Dickey has averaged a shade under 107 pitches per start on his hot steak. - link  

Beltran’s Knee:

Carlos Beltran (multiple knee problems, ERD 7/1) - Yesterday, I talked about Beltran and his knee brace, but I struggled with how to explain why the brace might be of any real use to his recovery. Gene Patterson, an athletic training consultant I often consult with who has experience with similar braces in his practice, had a better take in comments. I thought it deserved a full airing, so here it is: "Continued bruising of the tibial plateau is likely being caused by the large end of the femur "banging" into it as he extends his knee. Sense the cartilage left in his knee is minimal, the front (anterior) portion of the tibial plateau is getting beat up. The custom brace is likely fitted to block his knee from going into complete extension (as well as any hyperextending). This will limit the femur from 'slamming' into the plateau. The brace won't solve the problem but the idea is to limit the continued irritation. Look for even more decrease in his speed than has already occurred with this kind of bracing though." Without seeing the brace we can't be sure of its intent, but it's insight like this that I love to hear. It doesn't make me more positive on Beltran's short or long-term prospects, but the thought process of his medical team is fascinating. - link

Billy Wagner:

Billy Wagner will retire at the end of this season, the 38-year-old closer told Braves manager Bobby Cox on Friday. Wagner, who is sixth all-time in saves with 387, wanted to reach 400 career saves and has it plainly in his sights. But with or without that mark, and whether he comes close to John Franco’s saves record for a lefthander at 424 , he’ll call it quits at the end of the 2010 season. He said he will not play out his $6.5 million option for next season, which automatically vests if he finishes 50 games. He wants to spend more time with his family. - link

Willie Mays:

On May 4, 1966, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants establishes a new National League record for most career home runs. The "Say Hey Kid" hits his 512th home run, surpassing the total of former New York Giants great Mel Ott. Mays' blast against Claude Osteen, which puts him fourth on the all-time list, helps the Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-1. - link

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