[EmpireWF]

In perhaps one of the oddest things you'll see in baseball, Zambrano ran off the field after striking out Andruw Jones...with 1 out. The pitch before, the trainer and Willie Randolph went to the mound to check on Zambrano who seemed to be favoring his arm. They left him in, and he threw a pitch or two (I forgot), striking out Jones. He immediately ran off the field and to the clubhouse.

As of now, nothing's been confirmed as to the seriousness of the injury although talk has stepped up that it may be serious. In an MLB.com article, it spoke about how their was murmor's in the clubhouse about tommy john surgery...especially when a pitcher has problems with his elbow.

For the Mets, this couldn't come at a more terrible time. John Maine was placed on the DL, Jose Lima has been called up and will start tomorrow's finale w/ the Braves. Bannister is still on the DL.

Darren Oliver may have to spot start, but he's been groomed for the pen. He did come in for Zambrano on Saturday though.

I doubt we'll see Mike Pelfrey anytime soon. Also keep an ear out for the Cuban defectee, Alay Soler who is in the minors.

[Lefty Noob]

What's really weird about it is that Darren Oliver said he knew about the problem, but Willie Randolph says Zambrano never said anything about it to him. I'm not sure they would've sent him out there had they known he was hurt.

[ThePundit]

While I never want anyone to get hurt, this may help the Mets. Maybe they'll actually find someone who can pitch instead of running this guy out there every 5 days to try to save face on the Kazimir trade.

[Lefty Noob]

The latest from the New York Daily News:
"Zambrano has a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow and will require surgery that will sideline him until 2007, agent Peter Greenberg told the Daily News last night after meeting his client at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan."

[ThePundit]

You're right Lefty. Zambrano is done for the year. Now that Kent Benson trade is not looking too good. Bannister is also injured as is John Mayne. The Mets are so desperate for starting pitching they're pitching Jose Lima today.

[EmpireWF]

Mets may have to call up RHP Jermei Gonzalez from AAA-Norfolk who is pretty much a journeyman vet. They're not considering moving Darren Oliver or Aaron Heilman to the rotation since both are so integral to the success of the bullpen.

They're really stuck in between a rock and a hardplace and will likely scour who's available and pull of a minor deal just to bring in a body to take up some innings.

This whole Zambrano situation is leaving nothing but a sour taste in the mouths of Met fans. For one thing, when we traded for him, our (then) interim GM, Jim Duquette (this move is likely the only bad one he made...current Oriole GM) said afterwards that Tampa Bay was not cooperative in telling about any ailments Zambrano was suffering. Looks like we now know why.

And as said in that NYDN article, the Mets traded Kazmir because they were fearful he'd blow out his elbow...irony sucks bigtime.

[Lefty Noob]

Pirates have made Oliver Perez available, so I hear. Think there might be a deal there?

[MJHMarc]

I heard from word of mouth that he is suppose to be a good pitcher. I just did some research to discover that this Oliver Perez has a record of 1-5 and an ERA well over 7. But then again he does play for the Pittsburgh Pirates so...

What use could the Mets have for him? Unless they are completely desperate, I wouldn't acquire this pitcher.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

This whole Zambrano situation is leaving nothing but a sour taste in the mouths of Met fans. For one thing, when we traded for him, our (then) interim GM, Jim Duquette (this move is likely the only bad one he made...current Oriole GM) said afterwards that Tampa Bay was not cooperative in telling about any ailments Zambrano was suffering. Looks like we now know why.

And as said in that NYDN article, the Mets traded Kazmir because they were fearful he'd blow out his elbow...irony sucks bigtime.

Zambrano wasn't Duquette's only bad move: Does Kaz Matsui ring a bell? Not to mention the fact that switched they him and Reyes in the field (the biggest joke of them all). Also, they knew about Zambrano and had their doctors check him out thoroughly. The bottom line: You NEVER trade a young lefty who throws 95 miles an hour, especially for a mediocre pitcher when you're not even competetive at the time.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Zambrano wasn't Duquette's only bad move: Does Kaz Matsui ring a bell? Not to mention the fact that switched they him and Reyes in the field (the biggest joke of them all). Also, they knew about Zambrano and had their doctors check him out thoroughly. The bottom line: You NEVER trade a young lefty who throws 95 miles an hour, especially for a mediocre pitcher when you're not even competetive at the time.

Matsui's a good hitter and this year, has been pretty decent in the field. They shouldn't have switched them but I'm sure it came from above his head. Duquette also managed to deal the likes of Alomar, Burnitz and co. and stock the system with the likes of Royce Ring, Victor Diaz and co. Duquette wasn't terrible, but that one awful trade branded him and rightfully so.

The thing was, the Mets were (and thought they were) competitive when they did the Benson/Zambrano deals. They were only a couple of games out of the wild card or so...but everything fell apart after the trades. They wanted to shoot for the playoffs, but they ended up shooting themselves in the foot.

[pete_b]

Do you guys think that this injury is really going to affect the Mets that much? I mean the Mets are pretty strong regardless right? And all they really have to worry about is the Braves right? Whats the consensus?

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by pete_b

Do you guys think that this injury is really going to affect the Mets that much? I mean the Mets are pretty strong regardless right? And all they really have to worry about is the Braves right? Whats the consensus?

Well it will of course affect them in the sense that they need someone to eat up innings. Zambrano was inconsistant and was not a sure bet to be successful out there so in that sense, his absence won't hurt the Mets. However, the rotation is hurting and they need to fix it with some short term ability until Soler and/or Pelfrey are ready to come up.

The Mets are strong on offense, defense and bullpen. After Pedro/Glavine, the rotation is a problem.

And the Mets have to worry about the Phillies who have played great as of late. It's too early and even though the Mets have started out so hot, I wouldn't place them in the NLCS just yet.

[legend]

A couple things about this topic.
First, Pedro Martinez comes out and says that it is the media's fault that Zambrano tried to pitch with an injury, due to the pressure they put on him because of the Kazmir trade.
Secondly, Barry Zito might be had if the Mets want to part with their number one prospect, a kid named Milledge.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by legend

A couple things about this topic.
First, Pedro Martinez comes out and says that it is the media's fault that Zambrano tried to pitch with an injury, due to the pressure they put on him because of the Kazmir trade.
Secondly, Barry Zito might be had if the Mets want to part with their number one prospect, a kid named Milledge.

1) Pedro's statement was dumb...but who cares...HE'S PEDRO!

2) I said the same in the post above yours...which is why the Mets shouldn't/won't be trading for Zito.

[MJHMarc]

When is Milledge getting the call? I am getting old here!

Why didn't the Mets call him up last year instead of Victor Diaz?