Paul Lo Duca, Wily Mo Pena, Nelson Figueroa, Dontrelle and Figgy... and Interesting Mets Stats

Paul Lo Duca:

Veteran catcher Paul Lo Duca was released Friday at Triple-A Colorado Springs, ending his hopes of making a comeback with the Colorado Rockies. Lo Duca lost his spot on the Sky Sox’s roster when catcher Paul Phillips cleared waivers and accepted his minor league assignment. The Rockies designated Phillips for assignment when they recalled catcher Chris Iannetta on Tuesday - link

Wily Mo Pena:

The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signing of infielder Wily Mo Pena. The former Major Leaguer joins the Bluefish for his first season in the Atlantic League and 12th of professional baseball. Last year, the former Major Leaguer played for the Buffalo Bisons (AAA) of the New York Mets organization. In 41 games with Buffalo he recorded a batting average of .276 with 40 hits, five home runs, and 21 RBI. - link

Nelson Figueroa:

Nelson Figueroa pitched four times in May and went 18 days in between appearances at one point. But he said Charlie Manuel was always upfront with him and Figueroa felt comfortable with his ever-shrinking role.On Monday, Figueroa walked into the visitors' clubhouse at Turner Field only to learn he had been designated for assignment. The Phillies activated righthander Brad Lidge from the disabled list to take Figueroa's spot. - link  

Dontrelle and Figgy:

According to a team source, the Mets are not interested in pitchers Dontrelle Willis or Nelson Figueroa, designated for assignment by the Tigers and Phillies, respectively. Figueroa, who pitched two seasons for the Mets, ripped his old team last week over the way he was released in spring training - link

Interesting Mets Stats:

• The Mets have a .300 on-base percentage leading off the game with one lone extra-base hit. To put it into perspective, the Washington Nationals are batting .311 with four triples.

• No team in the NL East is hitting left-handed pitching as well as the Mets. New York is batting .291 as a team against southpaws. By contrast, the Mets' .237 average against righties is dead last in the division.

• New York has fewer home runs (one), RBI (40), and extra-base hits out of its two middle infield positions than any other club in the NL East, but Rod Barajas has hit twice as many home runs as any combination of catchers in the division combined.

• The Mets are hitting just .196 when they fall behind in the count, which is the worst in the division, but they have hit more home runs (12) than any of their divisional opponents when in a pitcher's count (0-1, 0-2, or 1-2).

• The Mets lead the NL East with a .393 batting average on the first pitch of an at-bat.

• The Mets are batting a pitiful .196 with the bases loaded. No other team in the division is even close to the Mendoza line, and even the second-to-last Braves are batting 62 points higher. Leading the way are the Nationals and their ridiculous .442 average (19-for-43).

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