Mets release Luis Castillo

The New York Mets released veteran infielder Luis Castillo today. It was something that had to happen and Oliver Perez should be next on the list although he is still hanging in there trying to win a spot as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. Castillo will evaluate several options but he told ESPNdeportes.com that he probably won't make a decision before noon on Sunday. He stated "I feel calm, confident that I will be on a major league roster on opening day of the season. Despite all the negative atmosphere of recent days, I'm positive and in the best shape for a long time. He was batting 283 in 28 spring at bats. He was in the last year of a 4 year 25 million dollar deal. The Mets owe him six milliion. He will be able to sign with another team for the major league minimum salary of $414,000. That amount would be deducted from what the Mets owe him. A source said although Castillo hasn't confirmed this that the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies are all interested in him. Castillo said "Until Sunday I can not talk of contract, but I'm sure I have options. I am not finished as it has been painted. He said he did not hold a grudge against the Mets. "I enjoyed every moment in New York and will always be grateful to the Mets. I have nothing negative to say about the organization. Baseball is a business." He has made three All Star teams and won three gold gloves but he will most be remembered for a dropped pop up in Yankee Stadium that cost the Mets the game. It appears that the Mets will carry two lefties and the last spot in the bullpen may come down to Perez and Michael O'Connor, I don't see how the Mets put Perez on the team, I thought it was more likely for them to keep Castillo. The Mets are going to have to eat some more salary with Perez unless it is so bad they can't afford to do that and they bring him North as a lefty specialist. I just think the fan backlash will be so bad it wouldn't be worth it for them.

Phil Hughes named 5th Starter

I am sorry that I didn't get to post the lineups or pregame information for today but here is what is going on. Chad Gaudin met with the beat reporters this morning to announce he has been released. Brian Cashman said he tried to trade him but there was no match and if they sent him to AAA they would have had to pay his full salary, right now they only owe him 1/4 of his salary. Phil Hughes was announced as the fifth starter and will start tomorrow on short rest so he can line up behind Javier Vazquez. Joe Girardi said a key to choosing Hughes was the development of his changeup this spring. They expect his innings limit to be slightly higher then Joba Chamberlains were last season, about 170. There was no announcement on when he will actually make his first start of the season but the Yankees don't need a 5th starter until April 17th and they only need one twice in April, they have every Monday off so this is a way to keep his innings down. There is audio of Joe Girardi today on the Lohud Yankees Blog at http://yankees.lhblogs.com Not that it matters but Aceves got knocked around pretty good today, he gave up 4 runs and didn't even get through the 3rd inning, he also gave up 6 hits. I will have a lot more later on this afternoon and evening regarding the days events and also the game recap.

Mets Lose to Cardinals

The New York Mets lost to the St. Louis Cardinals today by the score of 6-5. John Maine got the start and pitched pretty well today. He allowed 2 runs and 2 hits in 4 innings. Pat Misch and Francisco Rodriguez didn't pitch so well either. Francisco Rodriguez allowed 2 runs and Pat Misch allowed a run. Misch allowed 2 hits and 2 walks, Rodriguez allowed 3 hits and 2 runs with a strikeout. Sean Green pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and Elmer Dessens pitched a inning giving up a hit. Kiko Calero gave up a hit and a run without giving up a hit. Gary Matthews Jr. gave up a hit and Ike Davis had a hit and rbi. Luis Castillo and Russ Adams had a hit. Fernando Martinez and Alex Cora each had a hit. Henry Blanco gave up a hit and Chris Coste had a hit and rbi. Frank Catalanotto had a hit and 2 rbi. The Mets play split squads tomorrow, one at Kissimmee against the Astros and one game at Tradition Field against the University Of Michigan. According to Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News the Mets have released Josh Fogg.