In a long-rumored deal, the Mets have re-signed Elmer Dessens to a minor-league deal.
Dessens, 39, signed a split contract that would earn him $700K in the majors and $90K in the minors. There are also bonuses worth up to $150K with $30,000 paid out for each of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 relief appearances.
Stickin’ to them like glue, eh Dessens?
The Mets are keeping hope alive as they march toward 100. One hundred losses, that is.
The Mets fell to the Phillies by a score of 4-2, loss number 79 of the season. With 21 games remaining, the Mets would have to lose every game to reach 100 losses.
Though the score was close through the entire game, it never felt as though the Mets would win. Nelson Figueroa tiptoed through 5 1-3 innings, allowing nine hits and walking five, but only allowed two earned runs.
Elmer Dessens and Brian Stokes surrendered the other two runs in relief.
Jeff Francoeur stayed hot at the plate, pounding out three hits. Francoeur is now 6-for-his-last-8 with two doubles.
Luis Castillo drove in one run with a sac-fly to center field. Cory Sullivan grounded into a double play to kill a rally in the ninth inning, but it allowed a run to score.
But hey, no one got hurt.
The Mets have brought back Elmer Dessens to take the roster spot of Jon Niese.
Dessens pitched 12 1-3 innings for the Mets previously this season. He has a 3.65 ERA and 1.135 WHIP over nine games. He’s allowed two home runs, walked six and struck out five.
Adam Rubin notes that Dessens is closing in on his full pension due to 10 years of service time.
The Mets have designated Elmer Dessens for assignment and promoted Robinson Cancel, according to Bart Hubbuch.
Hubbuch claims this move was made to add “depth due to knee issues for Brian Schneider.” It is also because the Mets were going to be forced to have a three-man bench today, with Luis Castillo possibly missing the entire first game due to the birth of his daughter.
This also frees up Omir Santos on days Schneider is catching for some pinch-hitting duties.
Cancel was hitting .218 AVG / .266 OBP / .259 SLG for triple-A Buffalo.
The Mets have announced that Oliver Perez will start on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
No word on what the fate is of Tim Redding, the pitcher he replaced in the rotation.
My guess: Elmer Dessens is sent down and Redding slides into the bullpen.
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Also, Fernando Martinez is “out” according to Steve Popper. Popper writes that he will be examined by team doctors in New York on Monday.
A similar injury cost him six weeks a few years ago, says Popper.
GOOD
BAD & UGLY
Game Ball: Ryan Church
Slppy. Slopy. Lopy. Sloppy.
The New York Yankees (40-32) beat the New York Mets (37-34) by a score of 9-1.
Three errors led to two unearned runs off of Mike Pelfrey, who surrendered four runs total over five innings. Pat Misch pitched well for his 1 1-3 innings on the mound. Elmer Dessens escaped trouble in the seventh, then surrendered two home runs in the 8th inning.
Bobby Parnell got one out, but also balked and threw a wild pitch. Sean Green allowed two runs on three hits in mop-up duty.
Overall, not a great night for the Mets pitchers.
Also, not a great night for the Mets batters.
The Mets managed just three hits and CC Sabathia carried a perfect game into the fifth inning. Gary Sheffield broke up the bid with a solo home run to deep left field. Sheffield now leads the Mets in home runs with nine.
That says something when a 40-year-old outfielder who doesn’t play everyday leads your team in home runs. Yeesh!
Tonight belonged to Joel Pineiro.
The St. Louis Cardinals (40-32) beat the New York Mets (35-34) by a score of 3-0.
Livan Hernandez was good, Pineiro was just better. Hernandez held the Cardinals to three runs (two earned) over seven innings of work. He walked three and struck out three.
He was very good. It could be argued that outside of his start against the Yankees, he’s been the best pitcher since the end of May.
Elmer Dessens turned in two solid innings in relief, setting the side down in order both times.
Pineiro held the Mets to only two hits, singles by Luis Castillo and Jeremy Reed, over his nine innings. He needed only 100 pitches thanks to inducing 22 ground balls for outs. The meager Mets lineup didn’t hurt either.
Just have to tip your cap to him and move on. He’s just great against the Mets, especially when Fernando Tatis is their cleanup hitter.
Carlos Beltran is officially heading to the disabled list.
Beltran was found to have a bone bruise, as he suspected, and could be out through the All Star Break.
Taking Beltran’s place on the roster is Fernando Martinez. Martinez, sent down just days ago, is allowed to come back to the Mets without waiting the required 10 days due to a player going on the DL.
Ken Takahashi has been sent down and Wilson Valdez was designated for assignment with two relievers coming up to take their place. Pat Misch, a lefty, and Elmer Dessens, a righty, will join the Mets bullpen tonight.
Misch, picked off of waivers from the Giants back on June 5, was sporting a 6.43 ERA and 1.571 WHIP in 7 1-3 innings pitched for Triple-A Buffalo.
Dessens was 3-2 in 27 relief appearances with Buffalo. He had a 2.31 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 35 against the International League.
This means the Mets will be playing slightly short on the bench, opting for more arms in the bullpen.
| OUT | IN |
| Carlos Beltran - OF | Fernando Martinez - OF |
| Wilson Valdez - IF | Pat Misch - RP |
| Ken Takahashi - RP | Elmer Dessens - RP |
The Mets have signed pitcher Elmer Dessens to a minor league deal, according to the Denver Post (via MLBTR).