Mets must be asking, ‘Who’s next?’

Add Ramon Martinez to the growing list of victims of the injury bug.

Martinez, filling in for the injured Jose Reyes, had to leave Sunday afternoon’s game with back trouble.

Here is an updated list of injuries on the Mets…

Injured and have gone on the DL:

• Brian Schneider – Back and calf strain
• Oliver Perez – Right knee tendinitis
• Carlos Delgado – Right hip impingement
• Alex Cora –Torn ligament in thumb

Injured and have not gone on the DL:

• Jose Reyes – Tendinitis in calf
• Ryan Church – Sore hamstring
• Carlos Beltran – Sore right knee
• Ramon Martinez – Bad back

It gets better.  Church may be heading to the disabled list with a bum hamstring.  That could, and most likely would lead to a promotion of top prospect Fernando Martinez.

Probably a little rushed, but what else are the Mets to do?  They need bodies.

Reyes will not start tonight and Martinez is still a question mark, so my money is on Fernando Tatis. 

Mr. Ed Ryan over at Mets Fever pointed out that Mark Kiger, an infielder was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo.  Could he be moved there to take over for a player heading up to the big leagues?  We’ll just have to wait and see.  (If anyone, it would be Jonathan Malo.)

So far in 2009, the Mets have had significant injuries at: Catcher, first base, shortstop, center field, right field, pitcher(s).

Wonderful.

Who’s next?

What to do with Jose Reyes?

Put him on the DL immediately.

Calf injuries are one of the toughest injuries to overcome.  Even when they feel healed, the slightest over-exertion will bring the pain right back.

Jose Reyes will travel with the team to Boston, then he and trainer Ray Ramirez will fly to New York City for tests.  Reyes, without a doubt in my mind, will end up on the disabled list and will be there for more than 15 days.

The question for the Mets is: Who will take his place?

• Ramon Martinez.  Called up to take Alex Cora’s spot on the roster, but has gone 0-12 with three strikeouts.  He also has committed two errors in the three games.
  Verdict: Not the answer.
• Argenis Reyes.  Mostly a second baseman, Reyes is hitting .272 with Triple-A Buffalo.  He has played only 20 games at SS in his pro career.
  Verdict: A possibility.
• Jose Coronado.  Recently demoted to Double-A Binghamton after hitting just .141 with Buffalo.  He’s hitting .500 with Binghamton in four games, if that means anything to you.  Most importantly, he’s actually a shortstop.
  Verdict: Probably the best option.
• Jonathan Malo.  Another second baseman that would have to be converted.  A Jerry Manuel favorite who is batting .290 with Binghamton and .174 with Buffalo in ‘09.
  Verdict: Another possibility.

Obviously, there is also the possibility of a trade.  Mark DeRosa would probably be the best option for the Mets and is available.

The Mets need to make a move to fill in the hole that will be vacated by Reyes.  He needs to spend enough time on the DL to fully heal before he comes back.  Reinjuring the calf is way too easy to do.

Possible Castillo replacment?

I know I've said that I'm willing to give Luis Castillo a clean slate this season. He showed up to camp in great shape and has put together a great spring. But deep down, I'm still worried about how his knees will hold up and if he can still perform up to his contract and at the major league level.

The Mets are particularly thin at the second base position through the minor leagues, but Jonathon Malo had been impressing Jerry Manuel -- until he was sent down to minor league camp.

And as scant a chance as Green had, it was diminished by the late emergence of Jonathan Malo, a 25-year-old Canadian-born second baseman who has impressed Manuel to such a degree that the manager has told people in the organization that Malo is among his favorites among the possible reserves. But there seems to be no place for Malo on the roster.

Very interesting. Manuel doesn't really keep up with a lot of the minor leaguers, so it's especially telling if he said something to this degree.

Keep on eye on Malo to see if he can play. I wouldn't mind seeing if the Mets can find a suitor for Castillo midway through the season.

Early Morning Madness: Injuries edition

Luis Castillo might be heading to the disabled list.

Castillo injured his left quad a few days ago and Damion Easley has been starting in his place. If Castillo was to go on the DL, do the Mets really call up AAA second baseman Anderson Hernandez?

Sure, he's got a glove, but the kid just can't hit a lick. He's batting a miserable .185. And looking even lower to Binghamton, Emmanuel Garcia is hitting a cool .225 and Jonathan Malo is stroking a tepid .233 in limited time.

So second base is practically depleted for the Mets and the current starter is signed to a four year contract and is slow, injured, and slaps at everything. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a trade.

** * **

Ryan Church could be back by next weekend, and I couldn't be happier.

I'm assuming once Church is ready to go again, we've seen the end of Trot Nixon, but as much as I thought I'd love Nixon, his .167 average just isn't cutting it for me.

If Church can come back, even at 80 percent, he'll be a huge addition to this club. Church hasn't played since June 5th, and since that time the Mets have gone 7-9. They're really missing his bat in the lineup, as the offense usually goes flat past the 4th inning.

I miss this guy and so do the Mets.

** * **

Things are lining up in Yankee-ville that the Mets will probably face newly acquired Sidney Ponson during their series at Shea Stadium (and Yankee Stadium) this weekend.

Stay sober, Sidney.