Moises Alou is headed to New York today, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be in the Mets’ lineup anytime soon.
The oft-injured outfielder will be examined by team doctors after a CAT scan performed on Friday indicated the recent swelling in Alou’s left ankle could be the result of a fracture.
Alou, who underwent hernia surgery last month, was scratched from starts for Single-A St. Lucie on Friday and Saturday because of the swelling.
GM Omar Minaya indicated yesterday that he had no knowledge of how the ankle injury occurred.
Maybe the most surprising statement from Minaya was his assertion the 41-year-old Alou could possibly play for the team soon, even if today’s MRI reveals a fracture in the ankle.
“I talked to Moises [Saturday] and he was ready to play,” Minaya said. “But we said, ‘No we can’t, let’s shut him down, let’s look at him first.’ ”
Alou is expected to report to Shea Stadium at some point today, but Minaya ruled out the possibility he would be activated for tonight’s game against the Pirates, regardless of what the MRI reveals.
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Ryan Church was just glad he avoided serious injury after nearly colliding with Carlos Beltran on Mark Teixeira‘s shot to right in the seventh inning against Scott Schoeneweis. Church made a lunging catch at the fence, saving a run.
“I got off fast on it,” Church said. “[Beltran] did the slide to get out of the way and he just pinned me with his foot, pinned my right ankle against the wall. It’s nothing serious.”
Schoeneweis was most appreciative of the catch.
“I said, ‘Nice job, and I’m on my way to buy a lottery ticket,’ ” Schoeneweis said.
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Raul Casanova tied a career high with three hits. The home run he hit in the second inning came in his first career at-bat against John Smoltz. . . . Brian Schneider (thumb infection) remained hospitalized yesterday. Minaya said Schneider might be at the ballpark today, but there are no plans to put him in the lineup.
Additional reporting
by Fred Kerber