Astacio likely to be on DL- Mets look within
March 07, 2003
Latest Team Info/Injuries- The Mets on Thursday sent Pedro Astacio to New York to have MRIs on his right shoulder. The front of the shoulder has been causing him pain. The MRIs were negative, but Astacio will be shut down for the next 10 days or so. It is likely he will start the season on the DL. The pain, however, is not related to the torn Labrum that kept him out the last mnoth of the 2001 season, giving the Mets hope to believe that he'll be fine in the long run.
Mike Bacsik, who pitched well on Friday, David Cone, Aaron Heilman and Jason Middlebrook will now be vying for the fourth and fifth spots in the Met rotation, with Middlebrook likely to be the number four guy. Heilman had a strong outing on Friday along with Bacsik, but is likely to start the year at AAA Norfolk, leaving a likely battle between Cone and Bacisk for the fifth starter's role.
Jose Reyes, coming off a strained quadricep that the Mets were cautious with, will play in his first game on Saturday against the Cardinals. Reyes will start the year at AAA Norfolk.
Local Spin- Mike Bacsik has been working with Tom Glavine, another soft tossing left. He plans on mimicking Glavine on the mound, which may lead to success and his earning of the fifth starter's role.
Rumors: The Mets seem to be looking within to solve their pitching woes, and also seem content with rookie Ty Wigginton at third base.
Add: Jason Middlebrook, Mike Bacsik
Hold: Pedro Astacio
Drop: No one right now
