Now for the juggling act with Fernando Martinez.
Among the Mets’ requisites for promoting Martinez from Triple-A Buffalo last month was a regular chance to play for the 20-year-old outfielder. But Ryan Church’s return from the disabled list on Sunday left the Mets with three candidates — Gary Sheffield is the other — for two corner outfield positions.
METS’ B-TEAM BACKS ACE IN OPENER
With the Phillies slated to start three lefties in the series that begins tonight at Citi Field, expect to see plenty of Sheffield. Manager Jerry Manuel hopes to find a happy medium that can serve all parties involved over the long haul.
“Some believe that 250 at-bats, no matter how you get them here, are better than every day at Triple-A,” Manuel said, referring to Martinez. “So we have to find a number that we feel, whether it’s three out of seven or four out of seven a week that would equate enough to warrant him staying here full time.”
Manuel’s hope is Church will claim right field, allowing the manager to platoon Martinez and Sheffield.
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Mets’ brass will have only a casual interest in today’s first round of the baseball draft. That’s because for the third time in four years the team won’t have a first-round selection.
The Angels will pick in the Mets’ spot (No. 24) as compensation for losing Francisco Rodriguez through free agency. The Mets won’t select until 72nd overall.
Last year the Mets had the 18th overall selection and picked first baseman Ike Davis. In 2006 and ’07 the team didn’t select until the second round.
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With 3 ½ weeks remaining in All-Star balloting, David Wright remains the front runner as the NL starter at third base. Wright had just under 1 million votes as of yesterday. Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman was next with about 750,000 votes.
Also, Carlos Beltran was in a tight race with Alfonso Soriano for the third outfield spot. Beltran led Soriano by about 14,000 votes. Raul Ibanez and Ryan Braun have received the most votes among NL outfielders.