link - Jerry Manuel is working his final month at the helm and in the wings is Wally Backman, a long toss from Citi Field, watching and waiting his turn. He seems the obvious choice to turn the Mets, a PR coup for fans hoping to recapture some of the magic of 1986 and a win on the field, too, with Backman having won at every level in the minors. But, as we detail in today’s Record, Backman is already stepping on toes. While that attitude might not seem like a bad thing from a distance, it also smells a little bit like the stories of Billy Martin, knowing what’s good for him yet unable to help himself from stepping out and speaking
link - Pitching coach Dan Warthen likens him to Yankees stalwart Andy Pettitte: Another left-hander with a lowered arm angle to add a measure of deception. The motion is fluid and simple, protecting his arm during the long season. His fastball resides on the cusp of 90 mph. He throws his curveball for strikes 60-percent of the time. And this year, he polished a cut fastball for a third weapon. He believes in all three pitches. “That’s who he is,” Warthen said. “He grew up getting people out. And he expects to get people out.”
link - 1B/OF Nick Evans has been called up and will be active for today's game at Wrigley Field, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. In addition, RHP Dillon Gee and LHP Raul Valdes will join the team tomorrow in Washington. It's likely Gee, normally a starter in the minors, will come out of the bullpen unless the Mets decide to go with a six man rotation, which is unlikely. Evans, who seems to be not very well liked by Jerry Manuel, will likely not see much playing time. Valdes and Gee are some more fresh arms in the bullpen. Welcome to the bigs Gee!
link - Having not learned from Carlos Beltran's knee mess this winter, Jose Reyes' thyroid this spring, Jose Reyes' oblique in July and Jason Bay's concusssion in late July, there was mass confusion in the clubhouse Thursday night regarding Johan Santana's injury. First the Mets announced near the end of the game Santana had a problem with his pectoral muscle, then when the game ended the clubhouse was closed for 20 minutes, much longer than usual. When the doors finally opened to the media, Manuel - in describing the injury - pointed to his shoulder (only to be corrected by a team spokesman), then Dan Warthen said it was an arm issue, not a pec, then Santana said he didn't see a doctor and then Warthen said he thought Santana did see a doctor.
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