More roster moves

Raul Casanova, it's been nice knowing you.

Casanova has been designated for assignment as both Marlon Anderson and Moises Alou have been activated from the disabled list.

One roster spot was opened when Ryan Church was finally put on the DL.

Almost back to normal. Alou, please stay healthy, the team needs you. It's about time they dropped that third catcher.

And if anyone can figure out why the Mets still have Abraham Nunez, please fill me in. I'd love to know the reasoning behind that move.

Our Alou preview has ended

Moises Alou is heading to the disabled list, this time with a strain in his left calf.

How long did you really expect him to play? The Mets must enter 25 more cents to get another two weeks of play out of him.

The player being brought up to replace him on the roster is Raul Casanova.

This is one of the most confusing roster shuffles I've ever seen. Adding to the craziness, with Ryan Church still sitting out, Damion Easley is also unavailable tonight, as he is attending his sons high school graduation.

It should be interesting to see how Willie Randolph handles the team tonight.

Super Nova burns out

Raul Casanova was optioned to the minor leagues, as Ramon Castro was activated from the disabled list.

Welcome back, Mr. Castro. I've been yearning to hear that Darth Vader music as you walk to the plate again.

A big round of applause to Casanova for his amazing effort filling more than normal so far this season. Well done, big man.

Injury updates: Pedro, Wise, Castro

David Lennon in Newsday relays info that Pedro Martinez has begun throwing off a mound in Port St. Lucie.

According to Assistant GM John Ricco, Pedro could face live hitters as early as this week, but in the end, "it just depends on how he's feeling. Patience is part of the process."

A few weeks ago, Pedro was not missed. Now, with Mike Pelfrey beginning to struggle a bit, the Mets could use a guy like him back in the rotation. Don't hurry yourself, Pedro.

*****

Adam Rubin reports in The Daily News that both Matt Wise and Ramon Castro may be activated by next weekend's series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Wise, who went on the DL with a strained forearm on April 2, is expected to throw in back-to-back games to test his arm and stamina, a la Duaner Sanchez's recovery benchmarks.

Castro could have been actiavated already, according to Rubin, but the Mets don't want two catchers with health issues on the roster at the same time. Leaving Raul Casanova up with the big squad gives them a steady, healthy catcher in case Brian Schneider can't go due to his thumb.

When Wise comes back, the Mets have a decision to make. Joe Smith has options, and is the most likely one to head back to AAA. So does Jorge Sosa, who before Arizona was almost entirely ineffective. Joe Janish from Mets Today also points out Aaron Heilman has options, but I think some barnyard animals need to sprout wings and take to the air before he goes anywhere.

And I've missed the Darth Vader walk-up music at Shea this year. Great to see Castro coming back soon.

Schneider out of the hospital

Bart Hubbuch is reporting that Brian Schneider has been released from the Hospital for Special Surgery after being treated for a staph infection in his thumb.

Schneider may be able to return to the Mets lineup within the next few days, but Hubbuch points out he still might land on the DL if the Mets want to activate Moises Alou by Friday. If Schneider goes on the DL, Gustavo Molina would be able to stay on the team while Alou can join the team for the first time this season.

I don't want to hurry Schneider, as Raul Casanova and Molina have been decent behind the plate, but Brian, if you could get back to the team ASAP, I know the pitching staff misses you.

Schneider should return soon

Brian Schneider will be released from the hospital and should return to the Mets within a few days. He is believed to be heading home to spend a day or two with his family before rejoining the team.

In his place, Raul Casanova and Gustavo Molina have gone a combined 7-14, driving in two runs, and scoring three times.

As well as these guys have been hitting at the plate, the pitchers need Schneider back behind the plate. You can tell how good of a game he calls just by watching the pitching performances over the last few days. They haven't been terrible, but they haven't been great either.

I hope this shows the skeptical fans how valuable Schneider is to this team.