[EmpireWF]

Going into spring training, this is the only position spot that's still left in question. The big man of name is Kaz Matsui who is likely being shopped around by GM Omar Minaya to no end. There is no possible way the Mets can start the season with him at second.

The fan favorite (and hopefully, internal favorite too) is Anderson Hernandez. He had a coming out party last year in the minors after being acquired in a trade from Detroit. He came up the final month of the year and had a terrible time with the bat. However, in the Caribbean Playoffs the past two months, he was one of the best players playing.

Other names to keep an eye out for are Jeff Keppinger and Bret Boone. Boone signed a minor league deal and will compete during spring training for a big league spot. Keppinger must show Mets brass that he's more than just a utility player.

[EmpireWF]

I gotta say it's looking like Anderson Hernandez will make it a tough choice not to play him. He's been nothing short of great in spring training thus far.

Sadly, I expect Randolph and Minaya to choose Matsui if for nothing else, he's making $8 million.

[legend]

Randolph will play the best man. I'll bet Matsui starts the season, but if he struggles he won't stay with him too long. The problem with Matsui is that the Mets can't give him away. They may have to eat his contract or pay most of it wherever they can find to send him.

[Lefty Noob]

Maybe Matsui won't open the season at 2B after all.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- New York second baseman Kaz Matsui injured his right knee in the Mets' 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.

After leading off the bottom of the first with a single to right, Matsui had to hesitate when Paul Lo Duca blooped a single in front of center fielder Michael Ryan. Matsui sprained his knee sliding into second base and came up gimpy. He took himself out after the next inning.

"When I slid in, my right knee kind of stopped on the dirt and didn't really slide," Matsui said through an interpreter. "The pain is not that bad at all."

He will have an MRI on Friday. The Mets listed him as day-to-day.

[EmpireWF]

For a guy who was supposedly the "Iron Man" in Japan, he sure has been hurt a lot since coming to the States.

[ThePundit]

The Mets probably wish he would just get hurt for the year and then they can collect whatever insurance money is due them.

And you're right Empire. He is neither the Iron Man nor anywhere near the player that was advertised in Japan. Add him to a list of Met busts.