The Final Cut

Following up on this fanpost by ams258, the Mets seem to have finalized their opening day roster. Pending any last-minute injury updates, your 2008 New York Mets:

The Regulars

Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Carlos Delgado, 1B
Angel Pagan, LF
Carlos Beltran, CF
Ryan Church, RF
Brian Schneider, C

The Rotation

Johan Santana, LHP
Pedro Martinez, RHP
John Maine, RHP
Oliver Perez, LHP
Mike Pelfrey, RHP

The Bullpen

Billy Wagner, LHP
Aaron Heilman, RHP
Pedro Feliciano, LHP
Scott Schoeneweis, LHP
Jorge Sosa, RHP
Matt Wise, RHP
Joe Smith, RHP

The Bench

Raul Casanova, C
Marlon Anderson, UTIL
Damion Easley, UTIL
Brady Clark, OF
Endy Chavez, OF

Pagan will start tomorrow afternoon against LHP Mark Hendrickson. I would expect Endy Chavez to get most of the playing time against righties, for better or worse. Casanova will be demoted as soon as Ramon Castro returns from his right hamstring injury. Duaner Sanchez and Orlando Hernandez were both placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 27 and March 29, respectively. Both will likely need at least a couple more weeks to get ready for the regular season, and how soon they come back may depend on how well Joe Smith and Mike Pelfrey pitch over the first half of April. If Pelfrey and/or Smith can distinguish themselves at all in their first few appearances, the Mets may be more inclined to keep Sanchez and Hernandez in extended spring training. If Pelfrey and Smith pitch poorly in the early going, the Mets will be reluctant to stick with them any longer than is absolutely necessary.