Mets by the Numbers – Page 94 – Making it count since 1999

Santiago Up, Bell Down

The Mets arrived in Denver tonight with journeyman righthander Jose Santiago wearing No. 33.Santiago was recalled from Norfolk Sunday when Heath Bell 19 was demoted and informed he needs to develop a change-up. No. 33 was issued earlier this year to backup catcher Mike DiFelice.

The Mets announced Friday that first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz 16 has returned from a rehab stint and that cobwebby pinch-hitter Brian Daubach 13 was returned to Norfolk. They also promoted Norfolk closer Juan Padilla and returned lefty Royce Ring 22 to the farm. Padilla comes to the Mets having had an excellent half-season at Norfolk and Ring’s demotion seems to suggest that infuriating starter Kaz Ishii 23 will get a look in the pen. Padilla was assigned No. 28, which for two years sat patiently awaiting the return of Scott Strickland.

Cairo Returns; Diaz Sent Down

Miguel Cairo 3, out for a few weeks with hammy issues, returns to the Mets today while outfielderVictor Diaz 20 is sent back to Norfolk.

Mientkiewicz to DL; Jose Offerman Arrives

When Doug Mientkiewicz’ attempt to revive his season was interrupted Saturday by a hamstring tear, the Mets fished the Norfolk waters and reeled in fossilized utilityman Jose Offerman.Offernman, just .167 in 36 turns at bat for the Tides, suited up Sunday night in No. 35, recently cashiered by Mike DeJean. Truth be told, the elderly switch-hitting Offerman wasn’t that bad as a pinch-hitter for the Twins last year.

DeIceman Coming; DeJean Going

Still smarting form an embarrassing whupping out West, the puzzling Mets announced a series of roster moves Monday. As brittle second baseman Kaz Matsui 25 hit the disabled list for the 15th time, the Mets promoted Gerald Williams, the elderly outfielder from Norfolk. And while oddball lefty Dae Sung Koo 17 was recalled from the disabled list, Mike DeJean 35 was DeSignated For Assignment, ultimately failing to make a Met career any more distinguished than that of the man he was acquired for, Karim Garcia. Williams, by the way, toiled for the Mets last season wearing Nos. 6 and 21. So much for The New Mets…

Daubach: No Drawback

Brian Daubach, whom the Mets drafted back in 1990, finally made a appearance for his orignal team yesterday. The former Red Sox first baseman, who was tearing it up at Tidewater, was called up when the Mets sent Miguel Cairo 3 to the disabled list with a leg injury. Superstitous? Take note: Daubach becomes the 13th player to wear No. 13 in team history.

Graves for Aybar

Danny Graves, the disgraced former Cincinnati closer, officially became a Met Saturday as battered mop-up man Manny Aybar 36 was designated for assignment. Graves will wear his familiar No. 32at Shea, most recently belonging to embedded Yankee Mike Stanton, which appears to be the only cause for worry in an arrangement that promises to improve the Met relief corps. Now if we could only improve the offense…

Ramon Castro 11 returned from the disabled list June 2, while Mike DiFelice 33 was returned to Norfolk without incident. Also on June 2, Mister Koo 17 went to the DL and Royce Ring 22 was recalled. Meanwhile Eric Valent 57 withstood the waiver wire and accepted a demotion to Norfolk.

Diaz Recalled, Valent Designated

The Mets’ piddling offense over the last week in the wake of so-called day-to-day injuries to Carlos Beltran and Kaz Matsui highlighted the need for a more threatening bat and so the team recalled Victor Diaz 20 from Norfolk. But the failure to send either player to the disabled list may wind up costing the Mets pesky reserve outfielder Eric Valent, whom they’ll try to sneak through waivers and stash at Norfolk to make room for Diaz.

At the moment, this move has yet to earn the MBTN Seal of Approval: Though Valent was off to a slow start this year, lefthanded bench players who cost nothing and hit 13 home runs in part-time work are hard to find and probably, in demand. We also admire Valent’s contribution to Met Uni history, continuing to wear the absurd No. 57 he was issued as a non-roster spring-training invitee in 2003 when he made the team unexpectedly. Could the Mets have lived with 11 pitchers for a while instead? Did Willie have to give all the lefthanded pinch-hitting opportunities to Marlon Anderson, who for all his success can’t smell Valent’s power? Will Valent clear waivers? How many days before day-to-day becomes week-to-week? We shall see.

Trade Chain Snapped

When the Mets failed to recall Norfolk reliever Scott Strickland last Sunday, triggering the rehabbing righty’s right to free agency, they also clipped off the lone remaining branch of a Trade Tree with roots in the infamous Ed Hearn-for-David Cone trade of 1986.

That leaves one-time reserve infielder Tim Bogar as the grandfather of the current longest trade chain: Bogar was traded to Houston in 1997 forLuis Lopez, who went to Milwaukee for Bill Pulsipher, who went to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who went to Milwaukee for Jeromy Burnitz, whose trade to Los Angeles yeildedVictor Diaz and minor leaguer Joselo Diaz; the latter brought back Victor Zambrano.

Ishii Back, Castro Out, DiFelice Up, Diaz Down

Kaz Ishii 23 returned to the active roster today and pitched well in a win over Cincinnati and maybe,Victor Zambrano’s job. To make room, the Mets optioned one-time rookie-off-the-year candidate Victor Diaz 20 to Norfolk, where he’ll work on his defense and await Cliff Floyd’s next injury.

In the meantime catcher Ramon Castro 11 went to the disabled list with a strained quad, and journeyman Mike DiFelice was recalled from Norfolk. DiFelice made his Met debut tonight in No. 33, recalling historical Metly backup catchers Clint Hurdle, Barry Lyons, Tim Spehr, Mike Kincade, Charlie O’Brien and Barry Lyons.

Benson, Cameron Return

Two regulars on the shelf from Day 1 return this afternoon when Kris Benson 34 makes his first start and Mike Cameron 44 plays right field. To make room the Mets sent reliever Royce Ring 22 and starter Jae Seo 26 to the minors. Tough break for Seo, who pitched better than both Tom Glavine and Victor Zambrano during his stay. He may be back if either of those two continue to struggle.