News From the Past 24 Hours

1. Daniel Murphy tore his MCL trying to turn a double play on Wednesday night (playing 2nd base) and is done for the season. I know at least one fan is very sad after hearing the news. My Take: Poor guy would be the Mets starting first baseman right now if he didn't get hurt in spring training, and now he loses a whole year of development trying to learn a new position. I know a lot of fans can't stand by Castillo, but the one thing he does better than anyone in baseball is turn a double play; he has no fear and is very quick releasing. 2nd base is a very difficult position to learn, especially at the AAA level. Keep battling D-Murph, good luck with your rehab (non-surgical, but still 4-6 months according to the Mets). 
2. Jerry Manuel said C Beltran is getting close to participating in an extended spring training game and that he would come back and play right field. I've been saying for a while that he wouldn't be able to patrol center field effectively, and it still remains to be seen his return date as he hasn't done anything more than jog. Realistic return date may be the All-Star break?
3. L Castillo may go on the DL because he walks worse than most 70 year old men right now. R Tejada may be in line for a promotion (he got a single off "Washington's Savior" today in Buffalo) and hopefully he gets the majority of starts to prevent A Cora's option from vesting (80 games played). 
4. There is also word that Jesus Feliciano may be getting called up this week as he's been tearing up AAA pitching, and the RF has recently moved to CF, which has the blog-sphere buzzing that GMJ may finally be coming to an end as a Met; or they send Chris Carter down because he gets to see 3 pitches a week if he's lucky.  
5. The Oliver Perez fiasco is still unsolved; the Mets need a roster spot for Jon Niese when he returns on Saturday...

Mets open up a six game home-stand tomorrow night versus the Marlins, a day off on Monday, then a three game set versus the Padres. They need to win both of these series. End of story.