Pagan begins rehab assignment

Angel Pagan, rehabbing from a strained left groin, played in his first game last night for the St. Lucie Mets.  He went 1-3 with a run scored.

Pagan could return to the Mets as early as next week.  It would be a nice upgrade over the clearly-overmatched Fernando Martinez.

After busting out to a .333 / .429 start with the Mets, the injury prone outfielder went down with another malady.

I’d like to see him back with the Mets and soon.  He’s not exactly a game-changer, but he can’t hurt.

Pagan inching closer to return

The TCPalm is reporting that Angel Pagan “feels 100 percent” while rehabbing in Port St. Lucie.

“I feel like a million bucks,” Pagan told the TCPalm Thursday. “I’ve been working out great, and I feel better than the first time when I got hurt (and came back). I’m very positive I will stay healthy this time.”

With Fernando Martinez nursing a balky knee, it would be nice to get Pagan back on the Mets to see what he can do.  I’ve always liked what Pagan brought to the team, if he just could stay healthy.

F-Mart’s second tour of duty in the majors has been no better than his first.  It’s obvious the young kid has talent, he just needs more seasoning in the minor leagues before he’s ready to contribute.

The TCPalm also updates us on Jose Reyes, who currently has no timetable to return.  They do describe him as “in high spirits,” which I guess is a good thing.

Ryan Church finally plays in a real, live baseball game

I'm not lying. Ryan Church is playing baseball again.

Church went 1-3 in his first rehab game, appearing as a DH for the Gulf Coast Mets.

In other news, Trot Nixon is rehabbing as well, and he went 2-2 and played left field.

Obviously, I'm more excited about Church returning. If he can come back and play like he was before the concussions and migraines, this team will be all right. He's due to be fresh as he's taking most of the season off.

Hallelujah!

Ambiorix Burgos is not dead

Remember that player in the Brian Bannister deal? (And before you jump all over Omar Minaya, Bannister is 7-9 this year, with an ERA of 5.33).

Ambiroix Burgos made his first appearance while rehabbing his way back from Tommy John surgery.

In two innings for the Gulf Coast Mets, Burgos allowed three hits and two earned runs, while striking out four.

Burgos, only 24, has appeared in 144 games in his short career, only 17 with the Mets. He earned his only win as a member of the Mets when the team rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs on May 17, 2007.