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Capuano leaves Mets win with injury

June 23, 2011 , ι By DAN MARTIN

Chris Capuano could be added to the Mets' list of walking wounded.After pitching six scoreless innings against the A's on Thursday, Capuano was removed for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth... Read on

Chris Capuano could be added to the Mets' list of walking wounded.
	 
After pitching six scoreless innings against the A's on Thursday, Capuano was removed for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth after complaining of pain in the right side of his abdomen.
	 
METS WIN, 4-1
	 
He was looked at by the trainers in the sixth after Coco Crisp flied out to center, but was able to finish the inning, despite allowing a double to Scott Sizemore.
	 
*
	 
Justin Turner was hit in the left thigh in the first inning. Turner was plunked in nearly the same spot with two outs and the bases loaded in the 13th inning Wednesday night, ending the game.
	 
Hideki Matsui sat out for the A’s. Normally a DH, he played the outfield for the first time this season and did quite well in the opening two games of the series.
	 
The Mets rewarded fans who sat through the rain delay with a free ticket for the Aug. 11 game vs. San Diego.
	 
With AP

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Bay batting cleanup for Mets

June 22, 2011 , ι By DAN MARTIN

Fresh off a three-hit game, Jason Bay is back in the Mets' cleanup spot for Wednesday's game against the A's at Citi Field. Bay is hitting .353 (12-for-34) over his prior nine games and has had more... Read on

Fresh off a three-hit game, Jason Bay is back in the Mets' cleanup spot for Wednesday's game against the A's at Citi Field.
	 
Bay is hitting .353 (12-for-34) over his prior nine games and has had more than one hit in four of his past six.
	 
Bay said he wasn’t even aware he was hitting in the cleanup spot until reporters told him shortly before batting practice.
	 
"I expected to play and if I was batting ninth, I [couldn’t] care less," Bay said. "It doesn’t change anything."
	 
Instead, he'd rather focus on the game he had Tuesday, when he matched a season-high with three hits, including a long homer and a triple that nearly left the park.
	 
"I try not to get too excited about it," Bay said. "There have obviously been a lot more downs than ups this season. I'll enjoy it, but it's over with. [It] has no bearing on this game."
	 
FOLLOW GAME HERE
	 
Bay admitted it was refreshing to actually drive the ball.
	 
Terry Collins had sounded hesitant about moving him back up in the lineup, but the combination of the rest of the lineup not producing, as well as a lefty on the mound, forced the manager's hand.
	 
"We gotta have that guy that can really protect Carlos [Beltran]," Collins said of the right fielder, who has been hitting in front of Daniel Murphy lately. "And Jason gives us the best option."
	 
From what Collins saw Tuesday, he said he is optimistic Bay is regaining his form.
	 
"At least his bat was out in front," Collins said. "He was letting the ball get too deep on him saw. He had good bat speed and I thought, 'Maybe it's coming.'"
	 
Scott Hairston, Lucas Duda and Ronny Paulino all got starts against Oakland lefty Gio Gonzalez.
	 
Here's the rest of the lineup, with R.A. Dickey again looking for his fourth win of the season:
	 
Reyes SS
	 
Turner 3B
	 
Beltran RF
	 
Bay LF
	 
Hairston CF
	 
Paulino C
	 
Duda 1B
	 
Tejada 2B
	 
Dickey P

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Agent Boras meets with Mets' Reyes: report

June 18, 2011 , ι By DAN MARTIN

Jose Reyes could have even more than his ridiculous offensive stats working in his favor as he heads towards free agency. He also could have super agent Scott Boras in his corner. According to a... Read on

Jose Reyes could have even more than his ridiculous offensive stats working in his favor as he heads towards free agency.
	 
He also could have super agent Scott Boras in his corner.
	 
According to a Foxsports.com report citing anonymous sources, the agent has met with the Mets’ shortstop. If Boras’ becomes Reyes’ agent, it almost certainly would reduce the chance that Reyes re-signs with the team.
	 
Reyes is currently represented by Peter Greenberg, but Boras would not be tampering by speaking with the shortstop.
	 
The Mets, still cash-strapped even if the partial sale to David Einhorn and his $200 million investment comes through, are unlikely to be the team that offers Reyes the largest contract. A switch to Boras also would likely eliminate the chance of the shortstop signing an extension with the team during the season before he hits the open market.
	 
Reyes is making $11 million this season and owner Fred Wilpon scoffed at the notion that he would match the seven-year, $142 million deal Carl Crawford signed with the Red Sox last offseason.
	 
Wilpon told the New Yorker early this season that Reyes isn’t worth Crawford money.
	 
"[Reyes] thinks he’s going to get Carl Crawford money," Wilpon said. "He’s had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it."
	 
That was before Reyes got off to the best start of his career, leading the National League with a .344 batting average, while ranking second in the NL with 24 stolen bases. He also has a major-league leading 12 triples.
	 
General manager Sandy Alderson has spoken highly of Reyes since joining the organization, but the Mets had not made Reyes an offer.
	 
Once thought to be a prime candidate to be moved by the July 31 trade deadline, Reyes’ superb play — coupled with the Mets’ recent improved performance — seemed to indicate that the Mets would consider hanging on to the shortstop for the rest of the season in hopes of re-signing him after the season or collecting draft picks if he were to sign elsewhere as a free agent.
	 
If he ends up signing with Boras, who is famous for finding money no one thought was there, that plan would go up in smoke.
	 
dan.martin@nypost.com

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Mets GM says team could keep stars at deadline

June 16, 2011 , ι By DAN MARTIN

ATLANTA -- Hold off on that fire sale at Citi Field.GM Sandy Alderson acknowledged Thursday that the Mets' recent solid play is a factor in how he looks at the team as the trade deadline approaches.... Read on

ATLANTA -- Hold off on that fire sale at Citi Field.
	 
GM Sandy Alderson acknowledged Thursday that the Mets' recent solid play is a factor in how he looks at the team as the trade deadline approaches.
	 
"Certainly, what's going on now affects our thinking over the next several weeks," Alderson said of the fact the Mets enter Thursday's series finale against the Braves with five wins in their prior seven games at the end of a three-series road trip. "It definitely matters."
	 
The Mets got back to .500 with a win at Turner Field on Wednesday and have crept back into the NL Wild Card race.
	 
Though Alderson has preached patience and a long-term vision, he isn’t ignoring 2011 and the fact impending free agents Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran could be useful if the team is going to make a playoff push.
	 
"The short answer is we still have a long-term plan, but we have short-term goals, as well," Alderson said by phone while leaving Port St. Lucie, where he spent Wednesday looking at recent draft picks. "The team is playing well and I think fan interest is picking up. Both of those things are important factors, and I think we need to be mindful of the present while thinking of the future."
	 
Alderson also confirmed
	 the Mets could be interested in former Mets pitching prospect Scott Kazmir, who was released by the Angels on Wednesday.
	 
"We talk about everyone on the waiver wire," said Alderson, who added Kazmir's history with the organization would play a role in any possible decision. "That's a factor in this particular case, but it all goes into making a good baseball decision."

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Bay back in Mets lineup

June 15, 2011 , ι By DAN MARTIN

ATLANTA -- Jason Bay will be back in left field and batting sixth Wednesday night against Braves' righthander Tim Hudson, one game after being benched against another righty, Jair Jurrjens. The Mets... Read on

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Bay out of Mets lineup again

June 14, 2011 , ι By DAN MARTIN

ATLANTA -- Jason Bay is out of the lineup again Tuesday when the Mets open the final series of their road trip against the Braves with Jon Niese on the mound. Terry Collin said it was because he... Read on

ATLANTA -- Jason Bay is out of the lineup again Tuesday when the Mets open the final series of their road trip against the Braves with Jon Niese on the mound.
	 
Terry Collin said it was because he needed to get Willie Harris in the lineup. Harris entered 7-for-14 against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, but the move spoke volumes as to how far Bay has fallen.
	 
"I just thought in this case, with his struggles a little bit, I need Willie to get at-bats," Collins said before the series opener at Turner Field. "I could have taken Angel out. He doesn’t have good numbers against [Jurrjens]. I thought this was the best scenario right now. Lefties are hitting him, so I wanted them in the lineup."
	 
Bay, who sat for two games earlier in the road trip and is hitting .207, continues to not complain about not playing.
	 
"It's just the reality of where I'm at," Bay said. "It's the same thing. I just keep battling. There's not much else to say."
	 
FOLLOW GAME HERE
	 
*
	 
Justin Turner, whose surprising performance has helped the Mets survive so far without Ike Davis and David Wright, missed the game with a jammed right thumb, and Collins expects to be without him until Thursday's series finale at Turner Field.
	 
*
	 
Tuesday's Mets lineup:
	 
Reyes SS
	 
Harris LF
	 
Beltran RF
	 
Murphy 3B
	 
Pagan CF
	 
Duda 1B
	 
Thole C
	 
Tejada 2B
	 
Niese P

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Soreness slows Santana's return to Mets

June 13, 2011 , ι By MIKE PUMA

PITTSBURGH -- Johan Santana has dealt with soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder for the last 1½ weeks, slowing his rehab process, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday.
	 
As a result, the lefty has been limited to long tossing and not thrown from a mound since June 3. Santana won’t be cleared to begin his personal spring training until he shows he can throw off a mound without soreness, then repeat the process.
	 
“We need to get him to the point where he would have been on the 14th of February,” Alderson said as the Mets prepared to face the Pirates at PNC Park. “From that point, he will proceed with his spring training, which could last as long as spring training typically does (six weeks). We are not yet at the equivalent of the 14th of February.”
	 
Last week, manager Terry Collins said the Mets would likely target late July for Santana’s return. The team originally was hoping Santana would be back by the All-Star break (ends July 14).
	 
Alderson said Santana’s recent soreness was the first time he complained of discomfort during the rehab process. Santana underwent surgery last September to repair a torn capsule in his shoulder.
	 
“He’s progressed extremely well, but once the intensity cranks up it wouldn’t be surprising that there is some soreness,” Alderson said.
	 
*
	 
David Wright (back) is scheduled to be examined again June 24, the earliest he could be cleared to resume baseball activities in his rehab. Wright has been limited to core exercises.
	 
Ike Davis (ankle) will be examined on June 22. He will not be allowed to begin running until then.

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Duda put into Mets lineup

June 10, 2011 , ι ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH -- The Mets recalled outfielder Lucas Duda on Friday and immediately put him in the lineup against the Pirates. Duda was 2-for-20 with one RBI in 10 games with the Mets earlier this season... Read on

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Mets say Santana won't be back till late July

June 10, 2011 , ι By MIKE PUMA

PITTSBURGH -- Not so fast counting the days to the All-Star break and Johan Santana’s targeted return to the Mets.Terry Collins on Friday said it’s more likely the Mets will have to wait until at... Read on

PITTSBURGH -- Not so fast counting the days to the All-Star break and Johan Santana’s targeted return to the Mets.
	 
Terry Collins on Friday said it’s more likely the Mets will have to wait until at least late July for their ace lefty’s return. Santana, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder, has been throwing off the mound in Port St. Lucie, Fla., but has not faced batters.
	 
“Should we plan on [the All-Star break]? I don’t know if we should,” Collins said before the Mets opened a four-game series against the Pirates. “In a perfect world if everything continues at the pace that it is, it’s a realistic goal. But I’m probably looking more toward the end of July than the All-Star break.”
	 
FOLLOW GAME HERE
	 
Collins said it’s possible Santana will come to Citi Field during the next homestand just for a change of scenery and the opportunity to throw a side session in front of the major-league staff.
	 
The Mets are hopeful Santana will begin throwing batting practice by Tuesday or Wednesday. He would still need an extended minor league rehab assignment before joining the Mets.
	 
Santana is signed through 2013 and owed $50.5 million for the next two seasons. That’s in addition to a $5.5 million buyout for 2014 if the Mets don’t exercise Santana’s $25 million option
	 
Collins said he wants Santana at full strength before he joins the team.
	 
“He’s going to be ready to go deep into a game,” Collins said. “We’re going to make sure we don’t have to give him an extra day before he does his sides. The future is too much for this guy to bring him up and have him be a part of it if he’s not ready.”

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Mets put Bay back on bench

June 09, 2011 , ι By MIKE PUMA

MILWAUKEE -- Jason Bay is officially on another break as he attempts to mend his broken swing and psyche.The beleaguered Mets left fielder is absent from the starting lineup against the Brewers and... Read on

MILWAUKEE -- Jason Bay is officially on another break as he attempts to mend his broken swing and psyche.
	 
The beleaguered Mets left fielder is absent from the starting lineup against the Brewers and is expected to also sit Friday when he makes his first return to PNC Park since getting traded from the Pirates to the Red Sox in 2008.
	 
“I’m just giving him some time off,” Terry Collins said. “We talked [Wednesday] night and visited about the whole process about getting him going, and I just thought right now give him a break for a couple of days.”
	 
FOLLOW GAME HERE
	 
Bay arrived at Miller Park in an 0-for-23 skid that lowered his batting average to .207 with two home runs and 10 RBIs. He appeared overmatched in the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Brewers a day earlier, striking out in his final two at-bats.
	 
Collins gave Bay a day off last Sunday against the Braves with the idea the player might get rejuvenated, but little if anything has changed.
	 
Bay said he was completely on board with the decision to sit out. Jason Pridie started in left field.
	 
“The biggest thing is the mental break, but also with the way I’m going right now I’m not really helping a lot out there,” Bay said. “You get some other guys in there and give them a chance.”
	 
Collins said he intends to keep Bay as the starting left fielder and has no plans to start a platoon. Bay told The Post on Wednesday that he was prepared for the possibility he may lose his everyday job.
	 
The Mets lineup for Thursday:
	 
Jose Reyes SS
	 
Justin Turner 3B
	 
Carlos Beltran RF
	 
Daniel Murphy 1B
	 
Angel Pagan CF
	 
Jason Pridie LF
	 
Josh Thole C
	 
Ruben Tejada 2B
	 
Jonathon Niese P

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About the Authors

MIKE PUMA Mike Puma became Mets beat writer for The Post in February 2010 after three years as a general assignment baseball reporter. The Fordham alumnus began covering Major League Baseball, concentrating on the Yankees and Mets, in 1998 as a reporter and columnist for the Connecticut Post. He has covered eight World Series and holds a Hall of Fame vote.

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DAN MARTIN Dan Martin has been with The Post's sports department since 1996. He has covered high school and college sports, as well as the NHL, the NBA, the NFL and Major League Baseball.