Daniel Murphy Could Play in Grapefruit League Game Tomorrow

Terry Collins told reporters today that Daniel Murphy will play in the GFL game tomorrow.  Then later in the day, Collins said he expects Murphy to get three at bats and play in the field.  And that he will participate in the remaining three games before Opening Day.

As Adam Rubin said “That signals he would be ready for the season.”

The only reason Murphy would play in Grapefruit League games would be if he was definitely going to be ready for the beginning of the season.  Because if he did not play the Mets could place him on the DL but shave 10 days off his stint there.

This is great news, especially after Justin Turner’s apparent calf injury that occurred during tonight’s game that we do not have too much information on.  Murphy was a bigger question mark to me than David Wright was.  But this appears to show that as of this moment Murphy is more of a lock.  Although I think Wright is just staying out of the spotlot while he prepares and he too will be ready come April 1.

Murphy Played in a Minor League Game in Consecutive Days

Today Daniel Murphy while attempting to come back form his intercostal muscle injury played 7 innings in a AAA game against Miami, without collecting a hit (0-5).  This came one day after playing 5 innings and going 1-2 with a walk.

This is very encouraging that Murphy can play two days in a row, even if he did not record a hit today.  Im sure Daniel sees this a sign that he can be ready in a week for Opening Day – he’s said that he will definitely be ready earlier.  Murphy obviously is still a longer shot that David Wright to be in the line-up on April 1st but this makes me feel like there is a 75% chance he will be at second base in a week.

No matter how much he progresses Murphy will probably not play in an actual Grapefruit League Game to be able to retroactive his possible DL stint.  If he were put on the disabled list to start the season, he would be available to come off after 5 days.

Wright Takes Grounders and Swings off Tee Today

According to multiple beat reporters, David Wright hit off a tee in the batting cage and fielded some grounders today.  Afterwards, Wright said he felt no pain while swinging nor after and still has his sights set on Opening Day for his return to the line-up.  This was the first reported baseball action for Wright since receiving a cortisone shot in New York last week for his intercostal muscle issue. (the same injury Daniel Murphy has been dealing with all Spring – a fact that has scared Mets fans about David’s chances of an OD start)

Sandy Alderson said of Wright’s Opening Day goal, it is still realistic and possible yet not a foregone conclusion that he will be hitting third at position number 5.

This is obviously a good sign that he did not feel anything while swinging, but what could be even more important is if he wakes up with pain tomorrow morning.  I have thought all along that David would be ok for the start of the season; not for any particular reason it was just a gut feeling.  He still has 9 days to prepare and Collins said he wants him to get some at-bats last week.

I want to hear the words “Captain David Wright” over the PA system at Citi Field April 1, this was step one to making that happen.

9 DAYS.  SO CLOSE.  #LGM

Will David be ok in time??? Turner turns his ankle today…

David Wright was pulled out of the WBC before the game against the Dominican Republic last week.  Some people were very bothered that the Mets asked him to be pulled and sent home for the reason that David claimed once he got loose and in game mode it didnt bother him at all, hence his amazing numbers in the 4 games he played in in the WBC.  Initially the reports were that he had a sore rib cage and the severity was un known.  Once David returned to New York it was determined that he had an intercostal strain, the same injury that Daniel Murphy suffered early in spring training.  It is important to note that Murphy still has not returned fully from this injury.

David Wright received a cortisone shot today and for the moment has only been shut down for 3-5 days.  His strain was categorized as slight so possibly he may only need the two weeks of Spring Training remaining to get healthy (i forget what Murphy’s injury was initially categorized as…).  Any analysis of the injury is purely speculation.  But there is not much optimism for that illusive symbol that is April 1.

The heir apparent to the spot 3rd baseman should David not be ready was clearly, Justin Turner.  There was not much debate here.  But just as he was anointed the bug bit again.  Today while fielding a ground ball Turner tripped on the lip of the grass and turned his ankle.  Although now, a few hours after it happened, it seems as though it will only be a few days until he is back to normal.

Can we ever have a year close to injury free? i think we are pretty due now…