With big-league roster spots suddenly available, the Mets began the second half of the season tonight in Atlanta by adding AAA outfielder Prentice Redman and infielder Jorge Velandia to the roster. Redman looks to make his big-league debut in the No. 20 jersey recently left behind by Jeromy Burnitz; Velandia, who was up briefly in 2000 and 2001 wearing No. 11, is now wearing No. 13, which until last year looked like it might eventually have been retired for Edgardo Alfonzo. The Mets in the meantime may have seen the last of charismatic outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5, who was designated for assignment. Shinjo was banished to Norfolk late last month.
Tag Archive for Tsuyoshi Shinjo
The Replacements
Deck Chairs Rearranged
The Mets swapped outfielders with Norfolk on Saturday, demoting Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 and recalling Raul Gonzalez 21. On Sunday, they called back Jaime Cerda 43 and returned Jeremy Griffiths to Norfolk, yet another casualty of the dreaded No. 46.
Shinjo’s Back
The Mets on Saturday reached a one-year contract with charismatic former outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Here’s hoping that Shinjo, who wore gigantic orange wristbands and the No. 5 jersey with the Mets in 2001, can provide the solid outfield glove, bench depth and general likeability the Mets have lacked ever since they shipped him off to San Francisco last offseason.
Sayonara!
The Mets pulled yet another trade Sunday (and promised more), sending Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 andDesi Relaford 8 to San Francisco in exchange for lefty starter Shawn Estes. This trade hurts, since we’ll miss Shinjo-san’s flair, style and gigantic orange sweatbands. Estes by the way wore No. 55 with the Giants — should he remain with the Mets through the end of the week (no sure bet anymore) the number would be available, having not been worn since Orel Hershiser in 1999.
Komiyama Over
The Mets signed Japanese League veteran righthander Satoru Komiyama, late of the Yokohama BayStars and Bobby Valentine’s former Chiba Lotte team. After some dogged Internet research, we’ve determined that Komiyama favors No. 27, most recently worn by Mark Corey. In other news, the Mets have re-upped No. 47, Super Joe McEwing, and picked up the option on No. 5, Tsuyoshi Shinjo.
Sparkling
Any coincidence the Mets’ fortunes reversed at around the same time that Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 returned? Mr. Sparkle returned from the DL and the disappointing Timo Perez 6 was optioned to Norfolk Somewhere in there, Jerrod Riggan 38 bounced back from Norfolk whileDonna Wall 33 was sentenced to an International League tour.
Shinjo-Oh
Mets action figure Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 hustled his way onto the disabled list today, becoming the 5th Mets outfielder to do so this year. Back from Norfolk to take his place is uberphenom Alex Escobar 25.
